Behind the Crimes with Robert Murphy

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As a child, Olly Jarvis went to court to watch his actor father prepare for a role as a barrister.

Fast forward to 1985, and as a young man he was at the Battle of the Beanfield at Stonehenge as police clashed with New Age Travellers.

Since being called to the bar in the 1990s, he has defended thousands of suspects, including those whose encrypted phones were hacked by detectives in the Encrochat investigation.

And he crossed swords in the courtroom with a barrister who would go on to become Prime Minister.

In this chat, he describes what it's like to stand in court to defend a suspect who you think may have committed an atrocious crime, yet how being a lawyer should never replace the job of the jury.

His latest (and fifth) novel, Language of Angels, is a fast-paced thriller featuring his lawyer-hero Ella Blake. Called to defend a young prodigy, it sets her on the hunt for ancient manuscripts as agents from foreign forces close-in.

You can learn more about Olly here:

https://ollyjarvis.com/#books

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Her disappearance lasted eleven days. But for the last century, the trail of speculation has never entirely disappeared.

Laura Thompson, who has been writing about Christie for two decades, has revisited the episode in her new book, ‘Eleven Days.’

Why was the author - a new mother - in extremis? What had her husband done to drive her to this state? And what impact did the recent death of Christie’s mother have?

With new research - including re-enacting the journey Christie made in December 1926, Laura’s book provides a wonderful insight into this fascinating chapter of the writer’s life - and reveals so much more about her psyche.

You can learn more about Laura and her writing here: https://substack.com/@laurathompsonwriter

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Award-winning crime author Tim Sullivan joins us to discuss The Tailor, the latest novel in his award-winning George Cross series, which begins with a murder aboard the 10 o’clock train from Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington.

Tim discusses why he never knows who the killer is when he starts writing, how commissioning a bespoke suit became essential research, and why Bristol continues to provide the perfect backdrop for his mysteries.

We also explore his remarkable career directing Sherlock Holmes, writing Hollywood films, and the lessons storytelling on screen taught him about pacing, character and suspense.

George Cross has connected so well with readers, the series has just landed Tim with a prestigious CWA Dagger in the Library Award.

Learn more about Tim here:

https://timsullivan.co.uk/

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Mark Billingham has just been received the Crime Writers Association’s Diamond Dagger - perhaps the biggest prize in the genre.

In this wide-ranging interview he tells me about his a near-attack whoel walking his dog inspired his latest DS Declan Miller novel, The Shadow Step.

Mark describes why he believes humour and serious storytelling belong together, and how the irreverent detective DS Miller has given him a fresh creative freedom after more than two decades writing the Tom Thorne series.

We also discuss his journey from actor and comedian to one of Britain’s most successful crime novelists, his instinctive approach to plotting (or not plotting), the influence of real crimes on his work, and the advice he’d give to aspiring writers.

A funny, thoughtful and fascinating conversation with one of the masters of modern crime writing.

You can find out more about Mark, his new releases and his extensive back-catalogue here:

https://markbillingham.com/

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John Marrs is the award-winning author who has sold more than five million books, including What Lies Between Us and You Killed Me First.

In this fascinating interview, John reveals how he went from rejected, self-published author to being a global best-seller.

Dead in the Water is his latest best-seller, about a man who when resuscitated after drowning, suddenly recalls a dark chapter of his childhood.

He talks about the inspiration behind Dead in the Water, his writing process, the success of The One, and the Netflix adaptation of his work, his legendary ‘Chapter 39’, and the secrets behind creating addictive crime fiction.And John and Rob talk about their shared history (and terrifying news editor) working for the same newspaper decades ago.Subscribe for more conversations with leading crime writers, detectives, investigators, and true crime experts.

You can find out much more about John Marrs here:

https://www.johnmarrsauthor.com/

#JohnMarrs #DeadInTheWater #CrimeFiction #PsychologicalThriller #AuthorInterview #TheOne #Netflix #WritingTips #BookTube #CrimeBooks

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Bestselling crime writer T.M. Logan joins the show to discuss his gripping thriller The Weekend — a tense moral drama about six friends who discover a hidden stash of cash in a cave on the North Yorkshire moors. What begins as an ordinary New Year’s getaway spirals into suspicion, secrets and betrayal, as the group wrestles with the impossible question: what would you do if you found a life-changing amount of money?

TM Logan talks about the inspiration behind the novel and explains how ordinary, relatable characters are at the heart of his fiction.

The interview also explores TM Logan’s journey from local newspaper reporter to one of Britain’s biggest thriller writers. He reflects on his years in journalism at the Nottingham Evening Post and the Daily Mail, the lessons he learned from hard-nosed subeditors, and how newsroom discipline shaped his fast-paced, twist-filled writing style.

TM Logan shares insights into adapting books for television, including seeing The Holiday and The Catch brought to the screen, and reveals how real-life crimes and true-crime documentaries have influenced some of his most compelling ideas.

To learn more about TM Logan - click here:

https://www.tmlogan.com/

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Val McDermid is one of the world’s most celebrated crime writers. She’s sold more than 20 million books with her series which include Karen Pirie, Tony Hill and Kate Brannigan. But before becoming a literary powerhouse, she spent years as a newspaper journalist covering some of Britain’s most notorious cases.

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In this episode of Behind the Crimes, Val reflects on her path from newsroom reporter to bestselling novelist.

Val speaks candidly about her years in journalism, which included covering stories such as Lockerbie, Hillsborough and the Peter Sutcliffe investigation. She describes the emotional toll of witnessing tragedy at close quarters and the difficult balance reporters must strike between empathy and professional distance. Her reflections offer a fascinating insight into what crime reporting was like in Britain during the 1970s and 80s.

The conversation also explores how those experiences shaped her fiction. Val explains why she avoids directly “ripping stories from the headlines”, arguing that real cases carry consequences for victims, families and even ongoing investigations.

We discuss her latest novel, Silent Bones, the newest instalment in the Karen Pirie series. Val reveals how the story emerged from an unusual book club, Scottish political history, and her long fascination with cold cases. She also shares her thoughts on pacing, plotting and how she builds the intricate multi-strand narratives that have become her trademark.

As always with Val McDermid, forensics is never far away. She talks about her deep friendships with leading scientists, the research behind her acclaimed non-fiction book Forensics, and some of the real-life cases and scientific discoveries that have most fascinated her over the years.

https://www.valmcdermid.com/

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Anthony Horowitz may be best-known for his Alex Rider hit novels. But as a writer of adult crime fiction he has a unique and distinguished career.

He was the first author entrusted by the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle to reimagine Sherlock Holmes for a new book. And then he wrote three official James Bond novels.

But his own inventions as an author and a screenwriter have now become parts of our cultural life: Foyle’s War, the Susan Ryeland books and TV shows and the Hawthorne and Horowitz series.

Anthony also wrote on Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christie’s Poirot.

He started working in advertising while writing books into the early hours. And his big break came in the mid-1980s when, after publishing a children’s book about Robin Hood, he was asked to write for the biggest TV show in Britain at that time.

In this episode, Anthony breaks down what parts of crime writing he enjoys - and tries to avoid. And he describes the honour and pressure which came from being entrusted with two of crime writing’s most important literary estates.

His latest book, A Deadly Episode, will be released tomorrow. You can discover more about Anthony here: anthonyhorowitz.com or @anthonyhorowitz

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David Baldacci was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1960. What was it like growing up amidst the legacy of the Jim Crow laws? How did becoming a Washington lawyer finesse his storytelling skills? And how did he write his breakout debut Absolute Power while working 90-hour weeks as a litigator?

David has written more than 60 books in the last three decades and has become one of the world’s best-selling crime-writers.

His latest novel, Hope Rises, is the second part of David’s Walter Nash series. It tells how an everyday businessman seeks revenge after being plunged into the dark world of organised crime and security agencies.

In this conversation we speak about David’s inspiration from true crime, his literary heroes… and about his hometown hotel which had alligators in the reception.

You can learn more about David here: https://www.davidbaldacci.com/

You can grab a copy of Hope Rises here in the UK.

And here in the USA.

Subscribe for FREE: robertmurphy.substack.comRichard Laxton discusses how he directed the ITV drama Gone.Why did he want to tackle the subjects of male repression and coercive control?What strengths did the lead actors Eve Myles and David Morrissey bring to the show?

And how did his experience as a young gay man who didn’t come out until he was 21 inform this drama about an institution which has a public and private face?Richard also discusses his previous crime series including, Joan, Honour and The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe?

If you enjoyed this episode, we have much more about the hit ITV drama in the last two episodes:

The writer:

In this episode series creator George Kay describes which true crimes influenced his writing - and his career more widely, including the hit shows Hijack, The Long Shadow and Lupin.

The inspiration:

Former detective Julie Mackay led the team which solved the 30-year-old murder of the teenager Melanie Road.

In this episode, she describes what it was like starting her policing career in the 1980s and 1990s, juggling being a detective with being a mother and solving a high-profile cold case.

If you want to learn more about the award-winning book, To Hunt a Killer, which Julie and I wrote - about that inquiry - you can grab a copy here.