AMY DOAK is a lifelong lover of books, reading and writing. She formerly worked in media and currently works as a freelance writer. Her debut novel, Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer is a fast-paced YA murder mystery. Good Reading for Young Adults caught up with her to discuss her new book.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Eleanor Jones has just started at her ninth high school in less than five years. Since she and her mum are always moving on, Eleanor likes to stay on the outer, to stay invisible. So maybe it’s just bad luck that the very first person she talks to at Cooinda Secondary College, Angus Marshall, is stabbed and left for dead the same day. The last message on Angus’s phone is from Eleanor Jones.
After being interviewed by the police, Eleanor realises they don’t have all the facts and decides to investigate. In trying to understand what happened to Angus, Eleanor inadvertently becomes involved with an eclectic group of fellow students – all of whom have their own reasons to want to solve the mystery.
As they slowly unravel Angus’s secrets, Eleanor discovers the true meaning of friendship – and uncovers a danger lurking at the heart of the town . . .
Q&A WITH AMY DOAK
What inspired your foray into writing?
I’ve always loved reading, and I’ve always loved writing. I was one of those kids in Grade 3 who, when given the chance to make their own book, made four of them. The thing is, growing up,
I didn’t know anyone who was making their living out of creative work. Family, and family friends, even quite a few teachers said that writing was a hobby, something you did on the side. It wasn’t until I got older and met actual, real-life, working-full-time-at-it writers that I realised what was possible!
What sparked the idea for Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer?
I’ve always enjoyed reading mysteries – from Trixie Belden and Nancy Drew when I was little, through to the adult crime and thriller novels that I love now, and everything in between. I always wanted to write a book that had a little mystery, a little adventure, a little action, a little humour – just like the books I love. Eleanor sort of ‘arrived’ in my brain as a character, and her story grew around that.
Can you tell us a bit about Eleanor Jones and what readers can expect from her journey in the book?
Eleanor is 16 and Cooinda Secondary College is her ninth high school – her and her mum, Mim, move around a lot. She loves to read and she also loves to re-read her favourites. She often uses books as a way to hide from the world and she quite likes being invisible after having trouble fitting in at previous schools.
In her first week in Cooinda, she only speaks to one person – Angus Marshall – and so, when he is found stabbed, and left for dead and Eleanor’s message is the only one on his phone, she tries to figure out what happened.
Angus Marshall is left for dead – did you know from the beginning how the mystery would unfold, or did it come to you as you wrote?
No, I definitely didn’t know from the beginning what would happen. I guess I sit somewhere in the middle of being a plotter and sort of winging it as a writer. I knew the first scene, and a few of the other big moments along the way. And then it was a matter of trying to work out what was happening in between.
What do you love about the mystery and thriller genre?
I love the puzzle, and the feeling of many stories happening all at once. I also like the feeling of satisfaction at the end … a good mystery is wrapped up neatly with the bad guy getting caught by the good – that doesn’t happen in a lot of other genres. Thrillers are often really fast paced too, and that is great because they tend to hold your attention.
What was the most enjoyable part of writing this novel?
Surprisingly, I loved it all. It was so much fun! Every aspect of writing a novel is different – from the initial ideas phase, to the drafting, and through the various editing stages – so there’s never really a chance to get bored. There’s always the next thing to focus on. I perhaps find that first draft the hardest, so getting through that and typing ‘The End’ is always incredibly joyful.
Which writers or books do you greatly admire?
So many! There’s some wonderful Aussie crime and thriller writers who I just adore: Michael Robotham, Candice Fox, Margaret Hickey, Jane Harper, Christian White, Jack Heath and Gabriel Bergmoser are all brilliant. Cosy mysteries are a real fave, and I am especially enjoying Richard Osman’s ‘Thursday Murder Club’ series.
I also love a lot of the YA authors in the mystery realm: Karen McManus, Holly Jackson, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Ellie Marney, and Fleur Ferris. Of course, I don’t just read crime though. I also love Katrina Nannestad’s historical middle grade fiction novels, and V E Schwab’s ‘Darker Shades of Magic’ fantasy series is fantastic. I think Fredrick Backman is wonderful and I’ve so enjoyed every book I’ve ever read by Emily St John Mandel.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Having graduated from university with marketing and computing degrees, it took years of writing ‘for fun’ before admitting I actually wanted to write for a living. I worked in advertising, marketing, media, and for two years someone even let me work as a university lecturer in marketing. During this time, I set about obtaining a diploma in writing and editing and then for almost a decade I worked in publishing, having successfully launched two magazines and running small businesses. Finally, I recognised I simply just wanted to write. I am the author of five books and my work has been published in magazines, anthologies and websites around the world. I also help others write and publish books, and I consult in marketing, publishing and small business management.
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