I researched medications and then didn’t use any of the research. I’ve known three different manic depressives in my life, and I drew Catherine’s symptoms largely from them, of course changing the details. I didn’t do much more research than that, because mostly when dealing with her I’ve been describing Cardinal’s reaction to her, and that is much easier to imagine.
What's it like to hear praise such as from Book Page, "the most chilling literary villain since Hannibal Lecter”
It’s wonderful. It may not be deserved, but I enjoyed seeing it. Lecter’s a great literary creation — a figure like Sherlock Holmes or Boo Radley who has gone into the cultural mainstream.
What are your influences?
Biggest one, bar none, is Graham Greene. After him, among crime writers anyway: John le Carre, Martin Cruz Smith, and Ruth Rendell.
Who do you most recommend readers read besides yourself?
Graham Greene. He’s brilliant at everything: plot, character, texture, setting. No English writer except Shakespeare studied the human heart from more angles with more wit and more compassion. It’s ridiculous that he didn’t win the Nobel prize.
What are you working on next?
I’m currently working on a story set in the US. It’s about a father and son who every year cross the country in a huge Winnebago, seeing the sights. They also pull robberies along the way. It’s fun, but it’s very different from the Cardinal novels.
Thanks to Mr. Blunt for the interview.
Article comments
1 - Mayra Calvani
Great interview! I was so suprised to see this author's name here. I got a second-hand copy of his book, COLD EYE, in Ankara years ago and I have to say, I have never forgotten that book! I have never read any of his other books yet... but COLD EYE really made an impression on me when I was but a fledgling writer.
2 - Scott Butki
I'm glad you like the interview. Mr. Blunt is quite an impressive writer.
3 - Ignacio
Hi,
I started reading Blunt just to improve my english. I started with his first Cardinal book, and now I'm hooked on his books. I'm surprised to see him in this blog, I guess we'll have to get used to see Mr Blunt in the Media more often, as long as he's a really good writer.
Big interview, I've really liked the question "What was your goal with this book? Did you succeed?", it's a so open question that it makes the writer to think and explain what he really thinks about the book, no way to hide after a question like this.
I'll get around here.
4 - Scott Butki
Thanks, I use that qestion a lot because of the exact reason you mention.
Blunt's a great writer so he's a great - though slightly unusual choice - to use to learn English.