B AT H L I V E S
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ebby discovered at an early age the joys of losing herself in a brilliant book. After graduating from the University of Exeter with a history degree, she taught in a boys’ comprehensive for a few years but gave up full-time teaching when her twin sons were born, and only started writing when her fifth child began primary school. She now has over 60 short stories published and has produced eight novels, the newest, The Dangers of Family Secrets, was published just weeks ago. Here, we meet her… I remember the moment I was told my first novel had sold over 70,000 copies… I had thought I’d be lucky to sell 500! The book was called The Ex-Wife’s Survival Guide and was published by Simon & Schuster in 2006. My eighth, and newest, book, The Dangers of Family Secrets, was published at the end of June. It’s a story about trust, love and the destructive effects secrets have on a family. It’s contemporary fiction; this one is a little darker than my previous novels. The main character, qualified genealogist Freya Cameron, has the perfect life: a devoted husband of nearly 30 years and career-driven, successful twin daughters. But the book makes you question if it’s all a lie. So skilled at excavating her clients’ family histories, Freya has no idea why her family are so cold towards her. They know something she doesn’t and are determined to make her pay for it. I am a full-time writer and I’ve had over 65 short stories published... All of my books are concerned with family dynamics. This is possibly because I’m one of six children, have five of my own – including twins – and five granddaughters.
Bath is an inspiration to me… Five of my novels are set in or around the city. It is always inspirational. Annie in Annie May’s Black Book lived in a flat in Great Pulteney Street, because who wouldn’t want to live on that street? Alberta in Recipe for Scandal has a romantic encounter in the deli near St James’ Square, and Widcombe, the Thermae Spa and Bathwick Hill feature too.
DEBBY HOLT The Bath-based novelist on her former life as a teacher, her favourite local spots including the city’s independent bookshops, and how Bath inspires her writing I used to be a history teacher… I originally taught in a boys’ state school in Kent, but after I had my children, I was a supply teacher in Frome at Selwood Academy and then at various schools in Bath. The best bit about being a writer is… Growing increasingly involved with my characters. And the most challenging aspect is writing daily, even when inspiration is lacking. We’ve lived in Bath for 15 years… I live on Bathwick Hill with my husband David. He was a solicitor with Thrings in Queen Square until he retired last year. There are so many pleasures in Bath… The Little Theatre, Ustinov Studio, The Holburne Museum, the shops, the walks, the houses, the views – there’s so much to do and see. If I had to pick my favourite businesses, they would be… Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights and Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath which are both jewels in Bath’s glittering crown, as well as The Raven and Chez Dominique. My ideal place in which to while away the hours is… The National Trust fields on Bathwick Hill, or the Garden of Remembrance in Henrietta Park – I set my final chapter there in Annie May’s Black Book.
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My most treasured possession is… A photo of all my children at Stourhead, taken a month after then three-year-old Charlie’s life-threatening heart operation. He is now legal counsel for Greenpeace International in Amsterdam. Also, one of my best life moments was watching my stand-up comedian daughter, Rosie, wowing her audience at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2015 (she’s going this year too). Rosie’s also going to be at this year’s Bath Comedy Edinburgh programme where she and her comedy partner, Christian Talbot, are performing their set, Can’t Stand the Sight of Each Other at The Ring O Bells in Widcombe on 27 July. Something that may surprise you is… I fell off Beachy Head when I was nine and I lived to tell the tale! If I was in charge of Bath for the day… I’d commission low-cost housing for the old and the young, and I’d provide the railway station with a proper car park.
Debby Holt’s The Dangers of Family Secrets, Accent Press, was published on 29 June and is available at Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights and Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath. For more, visit www.debbyholt.co.uk