Sean Watkin, Liverpool-born author of Black Water Rising, is back with Better off Dead, following detectives DCI de Silva and DS Barclay through a chilling new investigation in Formby.
In his latest novel, "Better Off Dead," author Sean Watkin expands his crime thriller series featuring DCI Da Silva and DI Sparkley. The narrative picks up just months after the conclusion of the first book, broadening the scope of the characters' investigation and personal challenges. Watkin notes that the series functions as a trilogy, allowing him to explore the complex cases and emotional arcs of the protagonists as they work to rebuild their lives following a difficult investigation. In the story, the detectives find themselves handling a chilling cold case that begins in the Formby Woods, a location with personal significance to the author.
"As a kid, I used to come here a lot with my parents or with my grandparents," Watkin explains. "We'd go through walks, down these exact paths, over those hills, down towards the beach, bringing the dogs. So, it was always a setting that I wanted to explore." Initially conceived as a horror novel, the story evolved into a crime thriller, which required Watkin to adjust the setting and structure to accommodate the new narrative focus. Drawing inspiration from his life in Liverpool, Watkin emphasizes the importance of setting, noting that he often visits locations to ensure his descriptions are accurate and resonant.
"I'll drive to a location and I'll just have a little wonder around and see, because sometimes when you're writing, and you know, you think you know Liverpool so well, and you'll go to a location, and you'll be like, 'Oh my god, no, I've not quite captured it right.'
Having a little look around and being around people using that space, just creates something completely different and unique and true." The author’s creative approach has earned him recognition, including being shortlisted for the Bristol Short Story Prize and the McDermott Debut Award.
As Watkin continues to develop his characters, he confirms that his third book, "No Place Left," is set to release in September. He views this upcoming installment as the conclusion to the current trilogy while also serving as a bridge to new developments for Da Silva and Sparkley. Watkin has already submitted plans for a total of seven books in the series to his publisher, hopeful for the opportunity to continue the narrative journey.
