Meet Fleur Hitchcock

This week has seen the publication and launch of ‘Murder at Snowfall’, the latest book by the very wonderful Fleur Hitchcock. It is a gripping, thrilling tale which is sure to be every bit as popular as her other stories. I was delighted to have the chance to ask Fleur some questions about her work…

1.       Being a very versatile author, you have shown you can write for children of all ages and in a wide range of styles. Which age range do you prefer to write for and which genre do you think you do best?!

Very kind words!

I love to write thrillers, stories that take the reader to the edge of their seat where they HAVE to turn the page because they care so much about the character and the risks are so high – but whether that’s in an historical thriller or a contemporary crime caper I don’t really have a preference. My historical books are set in a different time space, but to me the characters are the same as the characters in one of my contemporary stories. Mouse is not so far from Maya in Murder in Midwinter, just different clothing and different surroundings. The past is fun because there are no mobile phones, the present is fun because there are.

 But I do like pushing the stories as close to adult crime thrillers as I dare, and then, inevitably pulling back, the younger the child, the harder it is to do that – not that I don’t enjoy writing straightforward fun adventures, after all, they were so much what I longed for as a child. Having said that, I wish I had the skill to write a picture book.  I haven’t answered your question at all, have I?

2.       If one of your ‘Murder’ books- Murder in Midwinter, Murder at Twilight, Waiting for Murder and Murder at Snowfall- was to be made into a film, which would you choose and why?

Ooh – without spoilers, Murder at Snowfall has the whole safari park section – Murder in Midwinter has the snowy Welsh mountains and Waiting for Murder has the aeroplane bit. Maybe Murder at Snowfall? But that’s because I’ve imagined it most recently. Can I put Mouse Heart forward please? (Absolutely!)

3.       Brilliantly written, ‘Murder at Snowfall’ really racks up the tension and peril! It sits perfectly in the space for those children who are strong readers in Y6/7, but not yet ready for the content of some older books.  Do you have plans for more stories like these- and would you be tempted to revisit any of these characters, leading them to solve the crime once more?

Thank you! Yes, I think my books are a preamble to Good Girl’s Guide to Murder etc – mine are “one foot on the floor (see Hollywood)” but just as risky. They’re certainly the books I wanted to read aged 10/11, but could only find Dick Francis (Eek) at the time. I love writing for this age, it’s so strong in my memory, and I really hope I get to write more. I’ve definitely got another Ruby and Lucas idea in my head, but time of year is important in my stories and I’m not sure what season would be best – perhaps they should have another snowy adventure? 

4.       I love your ‘Clifftoppers’ series. They have the feeling of the Famous Five, but the writing and content is so much better! Were you an Enid Blyton reader as a child- and did you prefer the Famous Five, the Secret Seven or the Five Find-Outers?

I have to confess that I never read the Famous Five – or any of Enid Blyton’s books. Our school librarian, and the mobile library driver steered me towards Malcolm Saville – they were similar, probably just as badly written, and addictive. I must confess, I haven’t read one for many years! When the Clifftoppers series was mooted, I wondered if I should read Enid Blyton but decided that I would end up with a pastiche if I wasn’t careful. I had a notion of what was needed, and I looked back at my own unconfined childhood, hanging out with a group of similar aged children in rural Hampshire and used that. My own children roamed free here in Wiltshire, so I was able to make it relevant and updated without much research. Oh, and I gave the older Clifftopper children mobile phones. Well you would, wouldn’t you?

5.       ‘Mouseheart’ is set during the reign of Queen Anne II in an alternative Bristol. Are you planning any more adventure for Mouse- or any which use this setting again?

No more adventures for Mouse at the moment – I think it would take a couple of years for something to float to the surface - I started to write the original in 2019 - but she’s so close to my heart I wouldn’t rule it out. Also, there’s a lot of fun to be had with Queen Anne II, she refuses to toe the line which makes her a joy to write. I do love characters who rebel.

6.       What can you tell me about the next book we can expect from you?

It might be a sequel to Murder and Snowfall and I probably shouldn’t say too much I am hoping to write something about the Anglo Saxons. I’m certainly doing a shed load of research and I have a story bubbling… Did you know Alfred the Great had an even greater daughter?

7.       And lastly- and most importantly according to my niece- what is your favourite cake?

That’s a very tricky question. It so depends on my mood, but a lovely light Victoria sponge with added strawberries and cream is hard to beat. Or a good coffee and walnut or sometimes it just has to be a brownie – dark chocolate…

Many thanks to Fleur for joining me today! I, for one, am very excited to hear about your potential future projects and look forward to reading whatever comes next.

You can read my review of Mouse Heart here and Murder at Snowfall here - both brilliant books!

Mouse Heart

In the reign of Queen Anne II, in an alternate Bristol, a foundling called Mouse lives in the Moth Theatre with the people who took her in. Loving and loyal, Mouse adores her theatre family and so when Walter, the troupe’s leading man, is wrongly arrested for murder, she is determined to identify the real culprit and free Walter from prison. But Mouse’s investigation becomes increasingly fraught with peril as she realises that someone she trusts may be hiding a deadly secret, leading danger to those she loves the most.

What an adventure! Packed with action and mystery, sinister villains and theatricals, ‘Mouse Heart’ is a completely captivating and thrilling read that is impossible to put down.

Mouse is a fabulous heroine, brimming with courage and determination. Her affection for those around her and her resolve to keep them safe at all costs is heart warming as she launches herself into her investigations. Using her acting skills, Mouse transforms her appearance as she makes her way around the Bristol-that-isn’t-the-real-Bristol, piecing together the events surrounding the crime and the story is full of references to locations which can be found in ‘real’ Bristol- St Michael’s Hill, for example, where executions were held until 1816 and Newgate Prison with its disgusting, insanitary conditions, so vividly described in the novel.

Rich in historical details as the story is, ‘Mouse Heart’ is set in an imaginary time hole in the early 1700s when the fictious Queen Anne II is on the throne. Edward Teach- Bristol’s infamous Blackbeard- also makes an appearance, further mingling reality with fantasy to create the perfect backdrop to Mouse’s adventures. Added to this is an array of wonderful characters who surround Mouse in her daily life which is full of the rivalries, affections and irritations experienced by those living in close contact.

The story romps along to its satisfying and dramatic climax, but although everything is brilliantly concluded, it would be wonderful to think that Mouse might have another adventure in the near future. There seems to be so much potential for adventure in her world!

Put this to the top of your to be read pile- you won’t regret it!

Mouse Heart Fleur Hitchcock

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1788009485