Earlier this week I interviewed crime writer Janet O’Kane for the bite-sized interview pieces I am doing on my YouTube channel. The point of the bite-sized interviews are to only spend ten minutes (this one goes slightly over at eleven minutes) with any author and to discuss one specific topic. You can sign up to the channel Here.
With Janet, we discussed whether a crime novel can function without a detective as a protagonist. Janet’s protagonist is a GP. So we discussed where she came up with the idea, the level of scope her GP, Zoe Moreland has and how this works within the crime genre. You can find Janet on Twitter and Amazon. I hope you enjoy the interview.
What are your thoughts on crime novels with protagonists that aren’t in the law enforcement agencies? Can they work?
MarinaSofia says
Ah, bless, thank you, Janet, for choosing the words I used in my review for your ‘genre’: cosy with bite! This was an enjoyable interview indeed – and some interesting comments about unusual protagonists, so-called amateur sleuths, and not fitting neatly into boxes.
Rebecca Bradley says
I’m glad you enjoyed it Marina. I think Janet and I both enjoyed doing it!
mbarkersimpson says
I think they can definitely work, if law enforcement is involved in some shape or form. My own novels are focused upon a close protection team, but there are a few detectives who make themselves known!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks, Mel. I do think they can work and it all depends on the author and their skills. Janet has done a brilliant job of weaving her protagonist into the story and this, I think, comes across in her interview. A close protection team would make interesting reading, I’m going to look them up!
mbarkersimpson says
I’m going to add Janet’s book to my TBR list! I do love a good crime story and I get access to so much choice thanks to you 🙂
jenanita01 says
Reblogged this on Anita & Jaye Dawes.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks for sharing!
Margot Kinberg says
This is a great topic, and ladies, a great interview! I think it’s entirely possible to have a fine crime fiction novel without a law enforcement protagonist. Hmmm…this is something I want to think about more…
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Margot. I’m interested to see where this leads you 🙂
LM Milford says
Hi Rebecca, that’s a great interview. I definitely think it can work with an amateur sleuth (sorry for the term Janet!). That’s what I chose for my book and when I had a structural edit done I was complimented for having chosen that option. I think it makes the investigation more difficult and adds an edge of whether they can solve it or not. I love the description of Janet’s book at ‘cosy with bite’ – that’s perfect!
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Lynne. I think Janet made it really clear in the interview how difficult it is to make sure the story flows correctly with a protagonist that isn’t a detective and making such a great story is a testement to all writers who manage this task.
LM Milford says
Reblogged this on L.M. Milford and commented:
Great interview with two great writers – what do you think of an amateur sleuth taking on the job of investigator?
Rebecca Bradley says
And thank you for sharing!
Jacqui Murray says
Wonderful interview. I understand much better the GP’s part in British life. Yes, I can see one as a protagonist.
Rebecca Bradley says
Thanks Jacqui. It’s a great novel as well. Janet does the GP and the novel real justice. It’s a fab read.
Carol Balawyder says
I can see how a priest or a psychiatrist can be a protagonist in crime fiction. As Janet O’Kane said crime fiction is about secrets and these two types of people are often having secrets revealed to them.
Rebecca Bradley says
That was an interesting point that came out of the interview, the fact that crime fiction is about people having secrets. I really liked that point myself. Thanks Carol.
D S Nelson says
My protagonist is a miliner and a people watcher. He’s an older gentleman with some life experience which allows him to deduce things. I think it does require the reader to hive the author a little more artisric licence but it’s great fun as the author trying to work out the mystery with the reader. Have made it easier for myself in later books as he becomes friends with a detective sergeant allowing him access to things he wouldn’t normally have access to.
Rebecca Bradley says
And that’s what came from Janet’s interview, that she had to work really hard to make the novel work so that her protagonist could be involved and could have access to things. So it gives authors like yourself and Janet extra kudos as such for making these novels work as well as they do!
D S Nelson says
Thanks Rebecca 🙂
D S Nelson says
PS, just noticed all my typos *blush*. i’m going to blame it on the baby that was sleeping on me at the time 😉
Stacia says
A lot of Nordic crime fiction features non-law enforcement as the main character. There’s Annika Bengtzon, a journalist (Liza Marklund); Henning Juul, another crime reporter (Thomas Enger); Erica Falck, a writer (Camilla Läckberg); Nina Borg, a nurse (Lene Kaaberøl); Rebecka Martinsson, a lawyer (Åsa Larson); Siri Bergman, a psychologist (Camilla Grebe & Åsa Träff). For the most part the books work quite well!
Janet O'Kane says
Thanks to Rebecca for interviewing me and to everyone who’s left a comment here. I’m glad you found it interesting.