For the May Murder Monday, Sisters in Crime’s Jacq Ellem spoke to WA regional author, Fleur McDonald who has more than 20 novels to her credit and has sold more than 850,000 copies.
Click below to view:
All of Fleur’s novels are set in regional Australia and she’s often called the “Voice of the Outback”. She was writing rural noir before it was a concept. Fleur’s storylines draw inspiration from having lived and worked on farms for much of her life and she now owns 4050ha farm east of Esperance.
Most of Fleur’s novels feature her leading detective, Dave Burrows. After writing several novels with Detective Dave as a secondary character, Fleur felt he really deserved his own series to shine – and shine he does. Fleur writes two books a year, releasing one in April and one in November so he also shines often!
For authenticity, Fleur can consult a detective friend who used to head up the Stock Squad in WA, now called the Rural Crime Unit. She also gets inspiration from tiny snippets on ABC radio and stories she reads in a paper. A conversation with her dad formed the basis for her novel, Emerald Springs.
For authenticity, Fleur is able to consult a detective friend who used to head up the Stock Squad in WA, now called the Rural Crime Unit. She also gets inspiration from tiny snippets on ABC radio and stories she reads in a paper. A conversation with her dad formed the basis for her novel, Emerald Springs. Fleur is also a highly sought-after guest speaker – on writing, country life, autism, domestic violence, and her not-for-profit organisation DVassist which tailors Domestic Violence services across Australia. Her latest novel is Shock Wave, just out with Allen & Unwin.
More info here.
Murder Monday interviews are available on Sisters in Crime’s YouTube channel at 6 pm once a month on a Monday.