This month Adrian McKinty released his first book in the Netherlands, The Chain, we had the chance to have a short Q&A with the author.
Photo: Boekerij.nl
You’re making your official debut in the Netherlands. Tell us, who is Adrian McKinty? What should we definitely know about you?
I’m an Irish crime writer from Belfast who is currently living in New York. I mostly write about Belfast in the 1980s which is when I was a kid.
How would your best friend describe you?
Dour, depressed, introverted most of the time, but sometimes: extroverted, weird, funny.
When did you start writing The Chain? What made you decide this would be a great subject for a thriller?
I was toying with this idea for about five years and I didn’t really get the time to do it, until I finished the last of the Sean Duffy books.
Was writing thrillers a deliberate choice for you or is it something that just sort of happened?
No!!! I always loved noir and mystery novels. I am a superfan.
Can you tell us a little bit about The Chain? Will there be a sequel?
Definitely no sequel. This is a standalone story about a woman whose daughter is kidnapped and to get her back she has to find someone to take her place.
How did you research the subject of The Chain? Is it based on a true story?
No, it’s all made up. Thank goodness!!!
Are any of the main characters like you in any way? If so, which character(s), and what characteristics do you have in common? Was Rachel based on someone you know? And what about Kylie?
I guess Rachel is an amalgam of the strong women in my life – my mother, my wife Leah, my sisters Diane and Lorna, my aunt Catherine and my amazing grandmother.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
No, I wanted to play soccer for Ireland and when that didn’t work out, rugby was a poor second place.
What do you enjoy more, writing books or writing book reviews?
READING books!
What does publishing a book feel like? Would you say you’re equally excited for each new book? And now that you’re making your Dutch debut, does that add anything?
Oh my goodness – yes, yes, yes! It is so exciting every time.
Are you already working on your next novel? If so, can you tell us anything about it?
No, not yet.
Would you ever want to write a book with another author? If so, with whom (and why)?
I would like to write a book with Philip K. Dick, if he were alive.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Everyone fighting adversity across the world. Writing is one thing, but standing up to tyrants is quite another.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Probably Cormac McCarthy, because he is such a genius.
Which book would you absolutely recommend to everyone?
J.A. Baker’s The Peregrine.
Why should everyone read The Chain?
Cos its thrilling and philosophical.
Is there a question that we haven’t asked you, but that you’d really like to answer? What question would that be (and what would be the answer)?
Why are you answering these questions drunk, bloody and naked?
Answer: It’s been a LONG, LONG day.
