Get a behind-the-scenes all-access pass to Kathleen Harryman's Darkness Series!
***Synopsis***
Two Books. Two Stories. One Killer.
Are serial killers mad or evil?
Follow the amazing journey of Tracy Bennett, an average, middle of the road woman working in a make-up counter in a York department store. But Tracy is not who she wants you to believe.
When Darkness Falls is a gripping account of a psychopathic killer. Written from the killer's perspective, the story's intent is perfectly compelling and holds the reader enthralled. Make assumptions, draw your own conclusions, and then find your theories debunked as the story unfolds. When Darkness Falls is a book that you will not be able to put down until the last page is turned. A testament to the human fascination with the criminal mind
What is the sub-genre and trope? Did your characters lead you to this genre or was that decided before the story began?
The Darkness Series is a psychological thriller / suspense / crime fiction. I always knew from book one, When Darkness Falls would sit within this genre.
I don’t recall ever writing a novel where I’ve not known the genre it sits in. Ideas pop in my head and the story flows from that one single thought.
Are you more character or plot driven?
I’m 50/50 between being character and plot driven.
When Darkness Falls came to me from one single sentence – What’s wrong with being a psychopath? From then I knew the direction I wanted the story to take and where I wanted it to end.
The characters drove the story forward, and we worked in collaboration to make it happen, with many changes along the way. The Epilogue was character driven; the end author driven.
With many main and secondary characters, how do you keep them separated in your mind? Do you have a story/vision board above your workspace?
I have used a story board in the past. This was so I could follow where I’d put victims as they were being moved from cottage to cottage, in Hidden Danger, and ultimately killed.
For the Darkness Series it was easy to keep the main and secondary characters separate. The main character is a serial killer, which helps.
The secondary characters in When Darkness Falls are Susie and Abigail. Their personalities are very different, and they bounce off each other, supporting the main character, providing an insight into how a serial killer hides within plain sight and fits into society.
I know from previous interviews that characters take on a life of their own. Were any of the characters in this series determined to take their own direction instead of where you initially wanted them to go?
The Yorkshire Slasher, aka Lauren Michaels was a delight to write. That life of their own you asked about, that was Lauren. Both books in the Darkness Series are based on Lauren. I enjoyed putting her in difficult situations to see how she would cope.
Lauren, though a serial killer, is fun. She has a unique outlook on life and few, if any, inhibitions. To give you a flavor of Lauren—imagine you are at the cinema, it’s almost empty, and someone sits in front of you, blocking your vision. You politely ask them to move to the neighboring vacant seat or adjust your sitting position, and grumble to yourself. Lauren would chop off their heads and enjoy the film.
Are any of the male POVs based on anyone you know?
As I’m female I use certain characteristics from male friends, to give my male characters depth, making them believable.
Are any of the female POVs based on anyone you know?
Not really, Lauren is about never having to comply or conform. She enjoys the freedom of being herself. Take it or leave it style. None of the people I know are like that.
Was there any one character/scene that was harder to write about than the other?
The main struggles I had was how The Yorkshire Slasher’s victims died. The serial killer is a woman, that needed consideration. I had to think about how she positioned the bodies or moved them. It’s one thing knowing a character is killing someone, but another to factor their limitations into the story.
What is your favorite book in the series?
Darkness Rising (Book Two) would be a favourite, because I got to see a different side to Lauren’s character.
I know that we aren’t supposed to have “favorites” as far as our children, but seriously, who’s your favorite character and why?
Lauren Michaels is my clear favourite. Even though she’s a serial killer, she’s fun. Imagine living life without restriction, never beating yourself up over something… that’s Lauren.
Series question - Who is your favorite couple and why did you decide on their dynamics?
My favourite couple would be Lauren and Fred.
Fred is a blow-up doll; Lauren uses Fred as an evidence marker, a void in the blood splatter, to fool the police into thinking two perps committed the crime. Even though Fred is a blow-up doll, he’s full of character. For some readers, Fred has been one of their favourite characters the Darkness series.
I do find it interesting that a none speaking character has scored so successfully with readers.
How do you get inside these characters’ heads to find their perfect HEA?
I did an immense amount of research into serial killers for the Darkness Series. It was important that I understand what drives them and tuned into the way they think. I read and watched so much true crime to ensure I got it right.
What scene in this book/series sticks out the most for you? Why?
That’s a tough one. I don’t think I can narrow it down to one scene. However, if I was to name one, I would say the scene with Uncle Kevin. The reader gets to understand why Lauren is the way she is.
How long did it take you to write this book/series?
When Darkness Falls was first published in 2017 and Darkness Rising in 2021.
How did you come up with the title for your book and series?
When Darkness Falls is written from the killers POV, the title fit. I don’t want to say too much, as the reason for the title reveals itself within the story.
If you met these characters in real life would you get along?
I would get along with Susie and Abigail, but not Lauren, I would need to be as warped as she is for us to get along, and that is never going to happen.
Series question – Did you know in advance that you were going to write this as a series or did one of the characters in book one demand their own story?
I wrote When Darkness Falls as a standalone. My editor, at the time, asked me to write a sequel, but I was busy writing another novel and swept the idea under the carpet.
It was a reader who had me revisit and write Darkness Rising (Book Two). Her only criticism in her book review was that there wasn’t a book two. And so, the Darkness Series was born.
If your book/series were made into a movie, which actors do you see as playing your characters?
Oh gosh, I think I would choose Reese Witherspoon as The Yorkshire Slasher/aka Lauren Michaels. Scarlett Johansson as Susie and Amy Adams as Abigail.
Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect next? Whether a new book and series or a sequel to an existing series? Can you share a small tease?
I’m currently in the throes of editing A Nightingale’s Last Song, which is a WWII Romance. It’s due for release in summer 2023.
This is the blurb:
On her grandmother’s death, Lillian Elizabeth, Lilibeth inherits Seagulls Rest, but it comes with a condition.
Lilibeth must reveal her grandmother’s secret.
November 1940, Lillian Elizabeth joins the Queen Alexander’s Imperial Military Nursing Services in the fight against Hitler.
She never meant to fall in love.
Major Joseph Lawrence is a doctor. Sergeant Alick McNavis a Scottish soldier. They are very different men.
One will capture Lillian’s heart. The other her soul. One, a forbidden love. The other, permissible.
From the destruction of war, a Nightingale brings hope. Across the battlefields of France to the sandstorms of Egypt, a Nightingale’s voice is often the last sound a soldier will hear.
Check out all my interviews/reviews for Kathleen Harryman!
https://readingbydeb.blogspot.com/2023/02/author-at-glance-kathleen-harryman.html
Kathleen was first published in 2015 and has gone on to win several awards for her books. Developing a unique writing style, Kathleen Harryman grips the reader holding their attention until they become part of the story.
Kathleen Harryman is a talented multi-genre author of poetry, suspense, psychological thrillers, crime fiction, romantic suspense, historical romance, and paranormal romance.
Connect with Kathleen:
Follow the amazing journey of Tracy Bennett, an average, middle of the road woman working in a make-up counter in a York department store.
Lauren Michaels has waited fifteen years, rotting in an asylum, for the day she can escape. With her alter ego, Tracy Bennett gone, that time has arrived.
Dressed to kill and in the best shape she's ever been in, the Yorkshire Slasher wastes no time in claiming her first piece of artwork (the word 'victim' diminishes her killing skills).
Lauren soon finds the perfect place to hide. Remaining under the police radar, she is free to kill.
GREAT interview. I've read all of Kathleen's books and enjoyed every one. I loved reading more about how Lauren's character was developed. So very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe new book sounds really good and i look forward to reading that too.
Good luck, Kathleen. xx
Lisette
I am so glad you enjoyed the interview!
Delete