Brian Price is a chemist and biologist who turned to crime after visiting Crimefest in Bristol. He advises other writers on scientific topics related to crime and was recently credited with keeping M.W. Craven out of jail by advising him not to put the recipe for ricin in his book The Botanist. Brian writes the D.C. Mel Cotton police thrillers and is working on the fifth book in the series.
At school, were you good at English?
I was good at English Language and not bad at English Literature O-levels, but my interest was in the sciences, so I took those for A-level.
What have you written to date?
Crime writing: How to write the science – a guide for writers on things such as poisons, knockouts and DNA – and the detective thrillers Fatal Trade, Fatal Hate, Fatal Dose and Fatal Blow.
What made you decide to sit down and start something?
I won a competition, run by the Facebook group Crime Fiction Coach, for the best opening line of a novel. When someone read it – “The small grey-haired woman grimaced as she entered the police station, pulling a tartan shopping trolley containing her husband’s head” – they said they couldn’t wait to read the rest of the story. So I had to write it!
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer to see where an idea takes you?
I have an idea for the main plot and roughly where it should go, but I don’t necessarily know what the ending will be. Scenes, subsidiary plots and direction of travel occur to me as I write, and I incorporate them as appropriate.
Do you proofread/edit your own books, or do you get someone else to do it?
My wife is my first editor and then it goes to the publisher’s editor. I proof-read the text just before it goes to print in case any errors have crept in.
Do you think the cover plays an important part of the buying process?
I think they are important. I’m fortunate as the excellent Jayne Mapp does my covers, with some suggestions from me.
How are you publishing your books? Indie, traditional or both?
I’m published by the lovely Hobeck Books – an independent traditional publisher.
How do you select the names of your characters?
With great care – I once used the name of a real senior police officer for a corrupt superintendent and had to change it pronto! I Google every name I use.
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Go to my website, info@brianpriceauthor.co.uk or follow me on Facebook, X and Bluesky
What are you promoting at the moment?
My fourth D.C. Mel Cotton thriller, Fatal Blow.