How did you feel when your first novel was accepted for publication?
Disbelieving – I thought it was a mistake. Then euphoric. Then nauseous because I was convinced that no-one would like what I wrote.
You live in a small village in the English countryside, so how much do these surroundings affect your inspiration?
I haven’t used my village as a setting yet, though it has potential! I do use places that I’ve been — often my favourite parts of the country. I used Cumbria in Mountain Rescue and Exmoor in The Portrait, both very special to me. The Edge series is set in London and North Yorkshire, so full of contrasting landscapes…