Portobello Book Blog

Today’s #AuthorInTheSpotlight is NS Ford whose debut psychological thriller novel We Watch You is available now. You can order a copy here: We Watch You.

First of all, would you tell my blog readers a little about yourself?

I absolutely love books – I’ve read more than 100 this year so far! I mostly read thrillers, sci-fi, classics and non-fiction. I have been blogging about books (plus other topics such as films and music) since 2018, so I may already be familiar to some of your readers from the blogging world. I live in the UK with my family and work part-time. I’m autistic. I love cats, playing the piano and going for brisk walks!

What inspired you to start writing?

I have been writing stories since I was little and my teachers always encouraged my creative writing. I focused on other pursuits, however, until a few years ago when I was on maternity leave and reading some psychological thrillers. I was particularly impressed with Clare Mackintosh’s books, at the way her writing kept you turning those pages. I wanted to try writing the kind of book which I’d want to read myself.

In a nutshell, what is your book about?

We Watch You is about a mysterious disappearance in a small town, which disrupts the lives of three friends and threatens to expose their secrets. I’m not going to say any more than that, but I guarantee that this is one of the most unpredictable thrillers you’ll ever read.

How did you come up with the title for your book?

Believe it or not, it took months for me to find the right title! I wanted it to be simple, have more than one meaning when applied to the story and not be the same title as another book. Every so often I’d make a list of suggestions, using key words from the book, until finally We Watch You stood out.

How did you celebrate publication day?

The launch for Kindle and paperback was yesterday and I celebrated by announcing two giveaways – one on Twitter and the other for my email subscribers. The giveaways are open internationally and close on 7^th October at 18:00 GMT.

https://nsfordwriter.com/we-watch-you-launch-day-giveaway

Do you have a work in progress just now?

I started planning my next novel last summer! It was a hot day in lockdown and I remember sitting in the garden writing notes for my as yet untitled book. Completing and publishing We Watch You has taken precedence of course but now that I’ve finished it, I’ll be working on the new thriller this winter.

What one book would you recommend to a friend and why?

The book I recommend the most is Villette by Charlotte Brontë, if the friend is looking for classics to try. I do love Jane Eyre, but I think Villette is the superior book. It’s an absolute masterpiece. The writing is brilliant. It was the last of the author’s books to be published in her lifetime. Had she lived beyond the age of 39, who knows what else she could have achieved?

Is there a book you’d love to see made into a film?

I love Philip Reeve’s Railhead series, which is set in the far future where sentient trains cross the universe and corporate families battle for control of the empire. The film rights were sold but I haven’t found any more information. I really hope it gets made.

How can people follow you or connect with you on social media?

Please see my bio link for my platforms including Twitter, Instagram and Goodreads.

https://bio.link/nsfordwriter

And finally, if you could be a character in any book you have read, who would it be and why?

I think it would be interesting to be a triffid from John Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids, experiencing what it’s like to be a plant – one that can move, too, and is intelligent. I would try not to sting anybody, I would just shuffle about on my tripod legs while enjoying the sunlight on my stem.

From the back of the book

FOUR FRIENDS. THREE ENEMIES. TWO TRAGEDIES. ONE TERRIBLE TRUTH.

A small English town is rocked by the disappearance of a local woman, Tina. As the search continues, someone is targeting her former best friends for revenge. Lauren, Jess, Claire. They all hide secrets. Who knows what they did? Who’s watching them? The truth is stranger and far more sinister than they can ever imagine.

A dark, twisty thriller which will grip you until the very last page.