July 30th 2024.
Daniel Aubrey's crime fiction novel, Dark Island, has been selected for the shortlist of the highly coveted Bloody Scotland Debut Prize. This recognition is a significant achievement and a testament to Aubrey's talent as a writer. As we await the winner of the prize, let's take a moment to delve into Aubrey's love for books and his recommendations for fellow readers.
Aubrey vividly recalls the first book that sparked his love for reading and writing - Time Rope. He was just a young boy of eight or nine but was completely captivated by the story of a rope swing that allowed people to time travel. The mystery, intrigue, and vivid descriptions of different settings and moments in time made it a world he never wanted to leave. This book ignited his passion for reading and ultimately led him to become a writer himself.
One book that Aubrey highly recommends to everyone is The Unwanted Dead by Chris Lloyd. He admits to having a love-hate relationship with the author for creating such a brilliant story. The book follows the journey of a cop named Eddie Giral in Paris during the Nazi invasion. Aubrey praises Lloyd's ability to transport readers to that tumultuous time through his exceptional writing. He also mentions that the story is not as simple as good versus evil, but rather, it is a nuanced and original take on the invasion.
As an avid reader, Aubrey has read countless books over the years, but he lists Burnt Offerings by Danielle Devlin as his top pick from the past year. He believes that no other book has captured the horror of the witch trials with such intensity and brilliance. Another book that stood out to him was Squeaky Clean by Callum McSorley, a dark and humorous crime novel that won the McIlvenny Prize at Bloody Scotland. Lastly, he mentions Shot in the Dark by Anna Britton, a police procedural with a unique format that kept him hooked until the end.
Of course, not every book is meant to be finished. Aubrey recalls a book that he was excited to read as a neurodivergent person but was ultimately disappointed by the portrayal of the protagonist. He chooses not to name the book or the author but mentions how it inspired him to write Dark Island with an explicitly autistic character. This experience taught him to create his own representation in literature and turn negative instances into positive outcomes.
When asked about his writing inspiration, Aubrey mentions Harlan Coben, a master of plot twists. He was so taken by Coben's work that he wrote his first thriller after reading Tell No One. He shares his desire to keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end, just like Coben does. He admires the author's ability to continuously come up with unique and gripping stories, and hopes to do the same with his own writing.
Lastly, Aubrey talks about his favorite place to read, which would be in his campervan in Orkney, Scotland, with his dogs and a pot of coffee. He also enjoys reading in the comfort of his office, which provides a peaceful and picturesque view. However, he admits that he often ends up reading in bed or when he's supposed to be writing at his desk.
In conclusion, Aubrey's journey as a writer and reader is one filled with passion, inspiration, and a desire to create powerful stories. As we wait for the winner of the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, we can only imagine the potential of Aubrey's novel, Dark Island, and eagerly await its release. For those interested in attending the award ceremony, tickets and information can be found on the Bloody Scotland website. Dark Island is available for purchase on Amazon in both paperback and ebook formats. Keep up with the latest book news and subscribe to Scottish Field for the latest issue. Happy reading!
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