Aspects of Crime

Chris Hammer discusses his new novel FULL CIRCLE, Scrublands, journalism, Lucic and Buchanan, Martin Scarsden, TV adaptations and Whale migration.

FULL CIRCLE:'If there is enough money involved, truth becomes a tradeable commodity.
Like gold, it is malleable; it can be melted down and recast without losing its value.'

Travis Somerland is man accustomed to danger - but nothing can prepare him the for the peril, the intrigue or the ruthlessness that confronts him at Montechino. Or the murders.

Montechino: part palace and part fortress, the secluded estate of the uber-wealthy Felix Clapton, a modern-day robber baron who thinks business is arithmetic, not morality.

When the Claptons ignite a generations-old feud with one of the nation's most powerful dynasties, Travis is thrust into a deadly struggle where murder is merely another bargaining chip.

Now, if he wants to bring justice to an unjust world, he'll first have to stay alive.

Chris Hammer was a journalist for more than thirty years, dividing his career between covering Australian federal politics and international affairs. For many years he was a roving foreign correspondent for SBS TV's flagship current affairs program Dateline. He has reported from more than thirty countries on six continents. Chris's non-fiction book, The River, published in 2010 to critical acclaim, was the recipient of the ACT Book of the Year Award and was shortlisted for the Walkley Book Award. Scrublands, his first novel, was published in 2018 and was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey Debut Dagger Award, Best Debut Fiction at the Indie Book Awards, and Best General Fiction at the ABIA Awards. It has also been longlisted for the Ned Kelly Best Crime Novel of the Year. Scrublands was optioned for television by Easy Tiger (a FremantleMedia company). Chris has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Charles Sturt University and a master's degree in international relations from the Australian National University. He lives in Canberra with his wife, Dr Tomoko Akami. The couple have two children.

Recommend Michael Connelly, Ian Rankin, Peter Temple and Michael Robot ham - Tell Me Something True

Paul Burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime, his first book Spies on Screen will be published in October.

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Mark Grenside talks to Aspects of Crime about his new Riley series: Fall

Fall Out: Marcus Riley, a British movie producer who is down on his luck, receives a

Until he discovers Wood's corpse, along with a list of four

Years ago, the production The Last Company fell into ruin after

Clues to the mystery are contained in the screenplay. Riley

There are some who wish to silence the truth. Others, like a

A ruthless Hollywood power broker and his lethal Filipino fixer

Marcus and Mako follow a trail of the screenplay’s hidden

The truth will be revealed. But at what cost?

Mark Grenside born and raised in London, began his working career at Lloyds of London, specialising in Kidnap, Ransom and Extortion Insurance. He launching his media career with Jim Henson and The Muppets©. From that moment on, he has been immersed in nearly every facet of the entertainment industry.

He went on to create and produce several television series and mini-series for both U.S. and international networks, while simultaneously co-founding a music management company that helped launch million-selling artist Neneh Cherry.

In 2004, he arranged the US $250 million buyout of the Hallmark Channel International, which was then successfully sold to NBC. He then returned to producing a number of movies and mini-series.

Today, Mark is a thriller writer celebrated for his intricate, twist-filled stories that weave meticulously researched historical facts, richly detailed locations, and insider knowledge of the film industry into crime- and conspiracy-driven plots. He is also a serial entrepreneur and a co-founder of two digital companies.

He is currently writing The Dolos Legacy, the sixth novel in his film-industry-based thriller franchise. He also pens a humorous blog read in more than 40 countries at www.andanotherthing.com.

Paul Burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime. His first book Spies

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Roger A Price talks to Paul Burke about Watching the Detectives , a new crime anthology, The Red Troop novels - Shoot to Kill, With Prejudice, thirty years in the police, screenwriting, Preston Crime Fiction Festival.

With Prejudice, Shoot to Kill

Watching the Detectives is an enjoyable collection of short stories by a number of bestselling and acclaimed crime and spy novelists, profiling their series and characters. Set in a variety of periods and settings, from the edge of the Roman Empire and daring WWII missions in Algiers to the gritty streets of contemporary Manchester, Watching the Detectives covers historical mystery, espionage, and psychological drama. This anthology also features exclusive interviews with every author. Read some of your favourite writers, or be introduced to new ones. Featuring…

Party Time by Julie Anderson
Operation Terminal by Alan Bardos
A Place Like This by Paul Durston
Vengeance Is Mine by Mark Ellis
I Always Win by Caroline England
Ancilla by Fiona Forsyth
On Edge by Kevin Joseph
Dutch Courage by David Jarvis
Take All Necessary Measures by RN Morris
They Who Dare by Roger A Price
Fatal Shot by Peter Tonkin
The Morning After by Steven Veerapen
Back to Black by G.J. Williams

Roger A Morris: 6 x Amazon No1 Bestseller, Roger was born in Bury, raised in Whitley Bay, and has lived in Preston, Lancashire since he was thirteen. He served for over thirty-one years with the Lancashire Constabulary, the Regional Crime Squad and the National Crime Squad. He retired in the rank of detective inspector in charge of a covert unit, which received local and national acclaim for its successes in engaging those who openly sold Class A drugs, such as heroin and crack cocaine. Prior to this he led the C.I.D. in Preston for a short while and before that was in charge of a dedicated informant unit. Previous experiences include work on many murder investigations and other serious crimes, as well as time spent on drug squads. He served around the region, country, and overseas. His work on the National Crime Squad took him across Europe and to the Far East. He was commended on four occasions. He now writes fiction based in-part on his experiences, and in-part from his fevered imagination. In addition to his crime and thriller, and SAS novels his is developing two TV dramas which are out on submission. WITH PREJUDICE was long listed for the 2025 Aspects of History's Spymaster's Book Award.

Paul Burke is the presenter of Aspects of Crime podcast. His first book Spies on Screen is published later this year.

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GJ Williams talks to Aspects of Crime about her new novels The Assassin's Mark and The Nun's Kiss, Tudor Court, psychology, inspirations and the value of a great teacher.

The Assassin's Mark: It is March 1570 and Elizabeth’s court has just crushed the Northern rebellion that sought to throw her from the throne in favour of Mary Queen of Scots. Relief is shattered when a body is found near the palace. The ritualistic killing, a cloven hoof-print, a calling card, and the terrifying message daubed on the wall, point to a long-forgotten pagan deity linked to the Templars. John Dee and Margaretta must navigate a community under threat, a pattern of poisoning, a City in fear of a spectre, and the dark arts of rival queens as they race between England and the courts of France to uncover an assassin known only as Baphomet.

GJ Williams, Gwenllian, is a welsh woman living in between London and Somerset. She studied psychology at university and came out with a PhD which supported a 25-year career developing talent and teams in the legal and financial sectors. She now she combines her interests of Wales, history, and psychology to create characters and intrigue within real historical settings and events

Recommend: Guy Jenkin The Fatal Bellman, Alexandra Walsh The Boleyn Curse

Paul Burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime, his first book Spies on Screen will be published later this year.

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Douglas Skelton talks to Paul Burke for Aspects of Crime.

the latest Jonas Flynt novel, A Thief's Revenge, writing a series, contemporary v historical, pitfalls of Non-fiction, smashing myths (putting the interviewer straight!), Bloody Scotland and being in the dock.

A THIEF'S REVENGE: A murder cries out for vengeance. A rogue answers the call.

For six long years, fired by cold rage, Jonas Flynt has hunted the man who paved the way for the murder of his son across the Caribbean and American Colonies. Many a pirate was delivered to justice during the chase, but Flynt never caught up with the elusive Dan Hawke.
Learning that his quarry has returned to London, Flynt races across the Atlantic in pursuit.
Back in his old hunting ground, he finds lies and betrayal are now the norm. During his lengthy absence, alliances have shifted among old friends and older enemies and it's hard to tell friend from foe…
Will Flynt be able track Hawke down at last through this web of intrigue? Or will his years-long quest for revenge have been in vain?

Recommended: The Cutting Michael J Malone (Out September)

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Tim Sullivan talks to Paul Burke about his new George Cross crime thriller, THE TAILOR, Josie Ottey, autism, film, becoming a bestseller, Simenon and The Dagger in the Library.

The Tailor: Measure twice. Cut once.
A bespoke tailor boards the 10:00 train from Bristol to London. Before it reaches Bath, he's found dead in the toilet, his throat slit and a plastic bag pulled over his head.
DS George Cross deduces that this wasn't a robbery - nothing about the killing is random.
It's an execution.
George's investigation brings him dangerously close to a cold and merciless world. And is it his imagination or is he being followed?
With the highest conviction rate of any officer in the force, someone will do anything to stop George from getting to the truth.
This time, the next cut could be meant for him...

Tim Sullivan is an acclaimed screenwriter. He originally read English and Law at university - the latter forced on him by his Dad - but instead he wriggled free of those parental ambitions and pursued his own, to make films. His writing credits include A HANDFUL OF DUST, starring Kristen Scott Thomas, WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD, starring Helen Mirren and Helena Bonham Carter, JACK AND SARAH (which he also directed) starring Richard E Grant, Judi Dench and Ian McKellen and LETTERS TO JULIET, with Amanda Seyfried. He is also a Television director whose credits include SHERLOCK HOLMES and COLD FEET and CORONATIONSSTREET. He has written extensively in Hollywood in both live action and animation, working with Ron Howard, Scott Rudin and with Jeffrey Katzenberg on the fourth SHREK movie.

He has now embarked on a series of crime novels featuring the autistic, and brilliantly persistent DS George Cross.

He self-published the first two books and once they'd achieved over 200,000 downloads he came to the attention of Head of Zeus publishers. So thanks to all his readers for this success and their shared love of George.

The novels are set in Bristol in the south west of England, Cross’ methods often infuriate his colleagues and superiors “not so much a thorn in my side as a pain in my arse,” according to his boss DCI Carson. But his conviction rate, thanks to his dogged persistence and attention to detail, is the best in the force. Tim has now written the first four in the series with The Patient being published on March 3rd 2022.

Tim feels confident in his claim that he is the only crime writer around who has also co-produced and written a My Little Pony movie for Hasbro. MY LITTLE PONY - A NEW GENERATION is now available on Netflix.

Tim lives in North London with his wife Rachel, the Emmy award-winning producer of THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA and PIONEER WOMAN. Their daughters live near by.

Recommended: Northanger Abbey Jane Austen, Ripley Patricia Highsmith, John le Carré, TV – The Pitt.

Paul Burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime. His first book Spies on Screen will be published later this year. 

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Saima Mir talks to Paul Burke about the Khan trilogy, DELIVERANCE, Jia Khan, bringing up boys, patriarchy and toxicity in modern society, writing gangsters, optimism for the future.

DELIVERANCE: She makes the rules, and God help anyone who dares to break them…

Jia Khan has seized a power most only dare to dream of. In a world dominated by self-posturing men, she gave women a voice, and built a criminal empire that spans the globe. But now the time has come to legitimise her business. To protect the people she loves, she must escape the very chains her life was forged from.Freedom, however, is never easily won. Her blood runs too deep in the underworld, and powerful enemies have no intention of letting her walk away. When one of her own is murdered, the danger becomes more real than ever. Forced into uneasy alliances with those she once despised, Jia faces enemies pressing in from every side. Is her reign destined to end in blood? For Jia Khan, life has always been a fight, but this is the one battle she cannot afford to lose.

Recommended: Honey - Imani Thompson

Paul Burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime. His first book Spies on Screen is published this year.

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GR HALLIDAY talks to Aspects of Crime about FROM THE SHADOWS, new ITV series THE DARK, the Highlands, psychological thrillers, ghosts and the supernatural.

FROM THE SHADOWS: Seven days. Four deaths. One chance to catch a killer.

Sixteen-year-old Robert arrives home late. Without a word to his dad, he goes up to his bedroom. Robert is never seen alive again. The discovery of a body on the coast of the Scottish Highlands plunges Detective Inspector Monica Kennedy into a murder investigation that won't begin and end with one death. Meanwhile, seventeen-year-old Nichol has been missing for seven days. His last message was to social worker Michael, who can't quite shake the suspicion that something is terribly wrong. As Monica is faced with catching a murderer who has been meticulously watching and waiting, Michael keeps searching for Nichol, desperate to find him before the killer claims another victim.

G.R. Halliday was born in Edinburgh and grew up near Stirling in Scotland. He spent his childhood obsessing over the unexplained mysteries his father investigated, which has been a major inspiration for his writing. He now lives in the rural highlands outside Inverness, where he is able to pursue his favourite pastimes of mountain climbing and swimming in the sea, before returning home to his band of semi-feral cats.

Recommended book - Happy Like Murderers Gordon Burns.

Streaming - Should I Marry a Murderer?

Paul Burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime. His first book SPIES ON SCREEN will be published later this year.

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Aspects of Crime Summer Reads Special featuring Richard Foreman, Mark Ellis, Jane Thynne and Paul Burke. A selection of crime and spy reads, fact and fiction.

Thomas Waugh Time to Kill

Anthony Horowitz A Deadly Episode 

Ragnar Jónasson 

Simon Mason A Dangerous Stranger & The Finder series.

John Nichol Blitz

Richard Weston Daniel Defoe

Marc Mierowsky A Traitor Amongst Us

Daniel Defoe A Tour Through the Islands

Antonia Senior Stalin's Apostles 

Emmerich Pressburger The Glass Pearl

Blunt: Master of Lies Piers Blofeld 

Charles Beaumont A Spy at War

Mark Ellis A Death in Mayfair

Robert Verkaik The Writer and the Traitor

Edith Daria Santini (Edith Tudor Hart)

Alan Bennett An Englishman Abroad & A Question of Attribution

Jane Thynne Appointment in Paris

Trent Park Listening Station - new museum.

Sönke Neitzel Soldaten

Philip Kerr Metropolis (TV Berlin Noir)

Peter Straughan screenwriter

Charles Cumming Icarus 17

David Jarvis Jan the Dutchman

CJ Merritt Octagon

Chris Lloyd The Art of Occupation  

Paul Burke Spies on Screen: From Silent to Streaming - Sept '26

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Jordan Harper talks to Aspects of Crime about his new Art-Pulp thriller A VIOLENT MASTERPIECE, LA, America, Hollywood, She Rides Shotgun...

A VIOLENT MASTERPIECE Los Angeles, right now. America with its back up against the wall. This Frankenstein's monster of crimes and lurid dreams sewn together into something like a city.    
A city ready to explode: A Hollywood pedophile is arrested, and is ready to tear down the city to get his freedom. A young woman goes missing—and men in black rubber gloves who look like cops clean out her apartment in the middle of the night. And the serial killer known as the LA Ripper is on the loose, leaving tragic/graphic/brutal crime scenes in his wake. Three people trying to keep their heads above the dirty water will find themselves coming together to unite these strands into one enormous, unspeakable crime ...   
Jake Deal is a gonzo live-streaming nightcrawler, beaming the city's chaos straight to his audience of blood-hungry subscribers, giving them the view from the top of the mushroom cloud—until a job he can't refuse drags him back into his old life of Hollywood glamour, drugs, sex and sleaze. Armed with cameras and hidden mics, he'll infiltrate private clubs, gather high-class dirt—and stumble onto a conspiracy woven into the center of LA's most powerful men, who call themselves “The Kids in the Candy Store.”   
Doug Gibson is a street lawyer, who fights for his clients against the army of cops, prosecutors and judges—he is the knife they bring to the gunfight. But when he's hired by a Hollywood pedophile ready to sell out his friends for a chance for freedom, he'll take on a fight bigger than he could have imagined. And when his client “commits suicide” in prison, Gibson will have to stop being a weapon—and become a warrior.    
Kara Delgado works for an underground private concierge company—a make-a-wish foundation for the terminally rich. She scores drugs, makes connections, and plans multi-million dollar sex parties.She has learned the secret truth of this world: there are no rules, only prices. Her best friend Phoebe has gone missing, and Kara's the only person who knows that Phoebe's place was wiped clean of evidence by men in black rubber gloves. But when she begins to unravel the mystery of what happened to Phoebe, and its connection to the killer known as the LA Ripper, it will drag her into the dark heart of the city.   
As Jake, Doug and Kara all investigate these crimes, they'll encounter ketamine-addled sitcom stars, bloody riots, homeless gangsters, a killer cop on death row, secret vaults in Beverly Hills, tech-bro orgies, medical cannibals, true crime junkies, private security wet-work teams, reality shows, street takeovers, car chases, coyotes, a sadistic Tarzan, and a three day, fifty million dollar wedding, before everything is revealed and they must each make their choice about how to fight back in this violent world before the bloody, blazing conclusion.

Jordan Harper was born and educated in Missouri. He now lives in Los Angeles where he works as a writer and producer for television. See She Rides Shotgun on streaming.

Paul Burke is the editor of Aspects of Crime. His first book Spies on Screen will be published in September.

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