An Interview with Author J. Woollcott by E. B. Davis

 

This was his [DS Ryan McBride’s] problem. He had very little

self-control when it came to women.

J. Woollcott, A Nice Place To Die, Kindle Loc. 1220

The body of a young woman is found by a river outside Belfast and Detective Sergeant Ryan McBride makes a heart-wrenching discovery at the scene, a discovery he chooses to hide even though it could cost him the investigation -- and his career.

The victim was a loner but well-liked. Why would someone want to harm her? And is her murder connected to a rapist who's stalking the local pubs? As Ryan untangles a web of deception and lies, his suspects die one by one, leading him to a dangerous family secret and a murderer who will stop at nothing to keep it.

And still, he harbors his secret...

Amazon.com

 

In 2019, Joyce Woollcott’s A Nice Place to Die won the RWA Daphne du Maurier Award, Unpublished, for Mainstream Mystery and Suspense. It was at that time, Joyce made her first appearance at WWK. It’s been a long-awaited book. Joyce is a well-known member of the Guppy Chapter of SinC. I’m so pleased to be able to read and recommend the book.

 

Although…I admit there was one time when I lost respect for the main character. Ryan McBride is human—a single male in his 30s—not a typical hero in that he is flawed. He’s slept with the murder victim, a one-night stand—no problem there—but then, he doesn’t disclose that fact to his boss. In fact, it spurs him to solve her murder. But then, he sleeps with her surviving twin—risking the investigation further. He has an on/off relationship with another woman as well. Women are his problem. But otherwise, he has good values, is a good brother, friend, and cop and partner to DS Billy Lamont, who we come to know.

 

Please welcome Joyce Woollcott back to WWK.                                               E. B. Davis

Belfast, Ireland is a big city, right? And yet, Ryan lives on a small farm in a farmhouse he inherited. Is Belfast smaller than I think or is his place on the outskirts?

Belfast is actually in Northern Ireland, the capital city. It’s about the same size as Memphis. And yes, Ryan’s farm is in the countryside outside the city in county Antrim.

 

What’s the Europa? 

The Europa, Belfast, is the most bombed hotel in Europe!

 

Why are the residents of Belfast defensive about the city?

Well, that’s kind of a long story, but because of the troubles, obviously, Belfast had a terrible reputation. When the peace process happened and the city started to recover, that old smell of violence lingered and people just wanted to get over it, you know? The city has been a lovely place to visit for quite a few years now.

 

What are advertising mirrors?

Oh, those old fancy mirrors that have Guinness ads and liquor signs printed on them.

 

Why did Ryan study law when he wanted to be a detective?

A couple of reasons. Family pressure from his father. Oliver McBride wanted his son to join him in the prestigious law firm he owned, and Ryan, even at eighteen, still feared his father. He also understood that a law degree could help him become a better detective.

 

Ryan and his partner Billy are opposites. Is that what makes them a successful team?

Yes, and mutual respect for each other. There’s a bit of jealousy too, on both sides. Billy loves being a family man, but in some ways, misses the bachelor life. Yet Ryan, when he’s home alone and between romances, wonders what it would be like to have a family around him.

 

Why do Aga cookers belt out heat? Aren’t they turned off when not in use?

The newer models can be turned off but usually the older Agas ran all the time and could be turned down. They helped to heat the house.

 

Erin is a great sister to Ryan, but he also has her back. Why does she have such bad taste in men? Is it due to their stressful relationship with their parents that both of them have relationship problems?

Yes, the siblings have an incredibly motivated, overbearing father––but a loving mother who helped balance things out. Because Oliver McBride expected so much from his children, they both grew up feeling perhaps they weren’t quite good enough, and that certainly showed up in Erin’s choice of men. Ryan, who inherited some of his fathers self-confidence, still has been soured on family, and doubts he’ll ever marry.

 

How did Ryan end up with his wire-haired fox terrier, Finn? Did he train Finn well or is Finn very intelligent?

When he moved to the farm after his granny’s death, Ryan bought Finn as a puppy from his neighbor. The dog is smart and attuned to Ryan.

 

So—you have enough experience with sheep to know that they smell like ripe socks? Tell us of your experience.

Ha. I did grow up in N. Ireland. My best friend’s family owned a farm and I did come close enough to sheep to smell them in the rain too many times!

 

What is the Titanic area of Belfast? Do they actually have an exhibit and a ride that takes you through areas of the model ship? Is it morbid?

The Titanic Exhibit was named the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction in 2016. I can personally tell you that it is fabulous! Not morbid at all. The ride takes you down through the ship, and when you pass the engine room you get blasted with heat, you see people drinking behind glass at the bar and hear the chatter. About three floors of staterooms and history as well, just spectacular. And, they have a great restaurant and café.

 

Kathleen, the first victim, had a landlady whose family are what? Gangsters or were they in the IRA? I couldn’t help feel that their efforts to help Kathleen were noble, and yet, they are known without evidence to be criminals? Is there an Irish mob?

The Doyles were a criminal family, not with the IRA.

 

You wrote the book using two points of view—Ryan and Kathleen before she was murdered. At times I went from thinking I was reading a mystery to thinking it was suspense because we are shown what happens to Kathleen—up to a point. And then, it’s back to a mystery. Why did you include Kathleen’s POV?

It's a tricky thing to write a book in one POV and one timeline. For me anyway. I needed to show what happened, up to a point, then move back to the present and continue the investigation without giving too much away. I wanted the reader to get a sense of the victim too and I wanted to explain the motivation behind the crime. I found that easier to do when we were right there with Kathleen experiencing the situation with her.

 

What are Fenians? An Orangeman?

Fenians are Catholics. Orangemen are protestants.

 

Is there still ongoing aggression caused by the IRA Republicans?

Some issues still remain, but I’d say life goes on as usual these days.

 

What and where is the Magilligan?

It’s a prison in Co. Londonderry

 

In Ireland, are ambulance personnel allowed to call off police and fire rescue?

Let’s say yes!

 

What’s a barmbrack?

A cake-type loaf with lots of currents. Delicious.

 

Is a dummy a pacifier?

Yup. And I won’t tell you the full name, it’s mad.

 

What is The Duke of York?

A great pub in downtown Belfast. I used to get my lunch there when I was at art college.

 

What’s next for DS McBride?

DS McBride and Billy are back again facing a new murder inquiry in Blood Relations. Retired Chief Inspector Patrick Mullan is found brutally murdered in his bed. Detective Sergeant Ryan McBride and his partner DS Billy Lamont are called to his desolate country home to investigate. In their inquiry, they discover a man whose career was overshadowed by violence and corruption. Is the killer someone from Mullan’s past, or his present? And who hated the man enough to kill him twice?