Welcome to another Friday Reads post. My featured book this week is The Ambrosia Project by crime writer Abi Silver.
Blurb
A tragic accident? Or is there a poisoner on the loose?
When food magnate Brett Ingram collapses and dies at a public event, his seafood allergy is blamed and the caterer, Nick Demetriou, charged with manslaughter. Nick hires legal duo Judith Burton and Constance Lamb to defend him. They scrutinise the colourful panellists at the event – a food blogger, a beef farmer, a food scientist, a TV chef and a radio host – who all seem to be holding something back.
There’s something fishy about the allergy story. Did one of the speakers have a hand in the businessman’s death? And what of the nasty incidents that keep befalling them? Should the net be cast wider to include opponents of Brett’s mysterious Ambrosia initiative?
In another of Abi Silver’s nail-biting games of courtroom cat-and-mouse, Judith and Constance must find the truth among a smorgasbord of lies and deception.
Buy links
The Ambrosia Project on Amazon
The Ambrosia Project in Waterstones
Welcome Abi. Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I have always enjoyed writing. It was very much the way I made sense of the world, when I was a child, whether it was keeping a diary or annotated scrap book or writing protest essays about things I found unpalatable (one of my earliest memories concerned our bottle-green, Austin 1100 being scrapped after years of dedicated service. I was not impressed). I also used to take popular songs and change the lyrics and write short plays to perform with my friends on playdates. But I never imagined I would ever have the chance to be a published author.
Has any author inspired you?
As a child, I adored Roald Dahl; my favourite character was the resourceful Fantastic Mr Fox, who overcame the combined power of Boggis, Bunce and Bean to triumph against the odds. My love of crime fiction was sparked by Conan Doyle – I was an avid reader of all things relating to Sherlock Holmes, often under the covers at night. More recently, I particularly enjoy Kate Atkinson’s work, but in particular her Jackson Brodie novels.
Are you a pantster or a plotter?
Mostly a pantster. I have the general theme of the book in my head and usually at least two ideas which have been bothering me for a while, ideas which won’t go away and gnaw at me, until I have to take notice. I find a link between them and then I begin to write. Once Judith and Constance, my equal-but-opposites criminal lawyers get hold of them, the story begins to come to life.
Is your writing ever inspired by your family or real life incidents?
Because my stories are current and cover topical subjects, I’m constantly using material we might talk about over a family meal. If I don’t use it immediately, I’ll squirrel it away for later. And all the technology I reference in my stories is real, for example, the lie detecting software, nicknamed Pinocchio, which is wheeled out at the trial of Raymond Maynard in my first book (The Pinocchio Brief) to watch how he moves his face, when he gives his testimony. And to ultimately determine if he’s telling the truth or not. It does exist and it’s already being used.
What are you writing at the moment?
I’m working on the first draft of the seventh Burton & Lamb story. This one will feature a politician arrested for possession of a Class A drug. It’s early days but I hope it will be out in 2023.
What are your hobbies?
I like to spend time in the garden, when I can. It’s a great way to de-stress, especially the use of a variety of sharp implements to cut and prune and trim.
What advice would you give to other writers?
First of all persevere. Some people are fortunate and receive success with their debut novel. But for most writers, it’s a hard slog and you have to be prepared for many moments of self-doubt. Having said that, just one positive review or piece of feedback can mean the world. That’s why my second tip is to always let another author know if you enjoy their work. And finally, whilst plot is important (and I love both writing and reading intricate storylines), think character all the time. If readers like your characters, even the nasty ones, they’ll want to read more.
Great advice, Abi. Thanks so much for popping over today to talk to us. Wishing you lots of luck with your books.
Meet Abi
Bio
ABI SILVER grew up in Leeds. Watching Granada TV’s Crown Court between lessons inspired her to study Law. She worked for international law firms in London before spending five years in Israel, where her husband was posted. During her time there, as well as raising three sons, she completed an MBA by distance learning, learned Hebrew and pottery on the wheel and began to write fiction, usually late at night.
Her first courtroom drama featuring the legal duo Judith Burton and Constance
Lamb, The Pinocchio Brief, was published by Lightning Books in 2017 and was shortlisted for the Waverton Good Read Award. Since then she has published five more in the series – The Aladdin Trial, The Cinderella Plan, The Rapunzel Act, The Midas Game and The Ambrosia Project. Several have been Sunday Times Crime Club picks. Based in Hertfordshire, she continues to work part-time as a legal consultant.
Author links
Abi Silver (@abisilver16) / Twitter
Abi Silver (@abisilver2016) • Instagram photos and videos
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Karen-King/e/B0034P6W7I
Website: https://karenkingauthor.com/