Authors Interviewing Their Characters: Caroline England

April 24, 2020 | By Caroline England More

Although I am still writing my ‘Caroline England’ psychological thrillers, I took on board the advice to ‘write what you know’, so I have used my career in the law as a backdrop for a new legal suspense series, written under the pen name Caro Land. The first, Convictions, was published in January of this year and Confessions will follow in June.

Though Convictions touches on aspects of the law, including crime, sexual assault, entrapment, abuse of power and attempted murder, relationships are at the fore of the narrative. And as usual with all my novels, there are twists, turns, reveals and some darkness. However, there is humour too, so I would describe it as more intriguing legal uplit than a taut thriller.

The star of the series is Natalie Bach, a fun, feisty and feminist thirty-nine year old lawyer. After a five year absence, Nat returns to her home town. Her old boss is delighted to have her back at Goldman Law, but his partner, Wesley Hughes, is less keen. Just like old times, Jack immediately embroils Nat with cases he would prefer to keep away from prying eyes, including a criminal charge against his estranged son Julian. Nat soon gets stuck into raft of legal, ethical and moral dilemmas which, with the help of fellow lawyer Gavin Savage, she eventually untangles.

To help readers get a flavour of Nat’s character, I interviewed her! Here are her answers:

Q: Hi Natalie. Tell me a little bit about yourself.

A: I’m thirty nine years old and I’ve recently returned to the UK from Majorca to look after my sick mother.

Q: I’m sorry to hear that. How is she now?

A: She’s doing amazingly well, actually. Though living with my Polish Mum and our two cats isn’t something I expected to be doing at nearly forty.

Q: So you’re not returning to Majorca?

A: For a time I thought I would but… Well, Jack Goldman asked me back and I could never say no to my old mentor and boss.

Q: I thought Wesley Hughes took over your job at Goldman Law when you left for sunny climes.

A: He did and he’s still there in his smart glassy office, but… how do I put it diplomatically?

Q: I’m guessing from your wry smile that the two of you aren’t getting along too well.

A: I couldn’t possibly say!

Q: I asked someone to describe your legal style and they answered ‘Rottweiler’. Do you think that’s fair?

A: I’m guessing that was a lawyer on the other side of a dispute! But hey, if you needed a lawyer, wouldn’t you want someone to fight tooth and nail for your cause? I’d prefer to describe it as feisty…

Q: Do you always win?

A: Not always, but I like to give everything my best shot. Maybe sometimes I overstep the mark, but if I see an injustice, I want to help and make it right.

Q: So what are you working on at the moment?

A: Of course I can’t be too specific for confidentiality reasons, but my criminal cases currently range from the alleged running down and death of a goat, to an allegation of public indecency. With the help of a fellow solicitor Gavin Savage, I’m investigating a charge of the attempted murder of a loan enforcer.

Q: I’ve met Gavin Savage before. Are his jokes any better these days?

A: I’m afraid not, but Gavin’s a man you must never underestimate. Beneath that six foot six bravado, and the strong aftershave, there’s a brilliant brain.

Q: I note your use of the word ‘allegation’ above. Do you think your clients are not guilty?

A: There are two sides to every crime. I think there’s much more to these cases than meets the eye. My job is to dig deep and find out the truth. By hook or by crook, that’s what I’ll do…

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CONVICTIONS

A stunning new mystery from Caroline England, writing as Caro Land.

There are two sides to every crime…

Returning home to care for her ill mother, and approaching her fortieth birthday, Natalie Bach is devastated when she’s dumped without explanation by her long-term boyfriend.

Struggling to pick herself up, she’s offered her old job at Goldman Law. Jack Goldman’s estranged son Julian has been arrested for attempted murder and he wants Natalie to find out why.

With the help of fellow solicitor Gavin Savage, Natalie sets out to investigate, but with a series of red herrings ahead, will she ever discover the truth?

And can Natalie avoid her personal problems interfering with the case?

What everyone is saying about Convictions:

“A brilliant read with surprising twists and great characters”

“more twists and turns than you could count.” – Ginger Book Geek

“this book had everything; a peek into the legal world, great characterisation, compelling darkness complemented with a lightness of humour as well as a satisfying ending”

“A brilliantly crafted novel. I was totally engrossed in the characters and plot from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down.” – Amanda Robson, Sunday Times bestselling author of Obsession, Guilt and Envy

Convictions is the first book in a gripping new legal, crime suspense series written by bestselling author Caroline England, writing as Caro Land.

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Biography:

Born in Sheffield, Caroline studied Law at the University of Manchester and stayed over the border. Caroline was a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer. She turned to writing when she deserted the law to bring up her three lovely daughters. Caroline has had short stories and poems published in a variety of literary publications and anthologies.

Caroline writes domestic psychological thrillers. Her debut novel, BENEATH THE SKIN, known also as THE WIFE’S SECRET in eBook, was published by Avon HarperCollins in October 2017. Her second novel, MY HUSBAND’S LIES, followed in May 2018 and became a Kindle top ten bestseller. Her latest novel, BETRAY HER, published by Piatkus of Little, Brown Book Group, is now available as an eBook, audiobook and paperback.

Caroline has two dark, twisty short story collections available on Amazon, both in eBook and paperback, WATCHING HORSEPATS FEED THE ROSES and HANGED BY THE NECK.

Caroline also writes under the pen name Caro Land. Her first Natalie Bach legal suspense, CONVICTIONS, was published by Bloodhound Books in January 2020. The follow up, CONFESSIONS, will publish in June 2020.