Interview: David Whittet talks about Threepence on the Carpet

David Whittet is a family doctor, a multi-award-winning independent filmmaker and an author. Medicine is a constant source of inspiration for David’s writing, and his work as a GP brings authenticity and gritty realism to his books. Like writing, general practice is about being interested in people’s stories. David talks to NZ Booklovers.

Tell us a little about your latest novel, Threepence on the Carpet.

Kiwi musician Tommy Trevelian shot to fame in the swinging sixties as a singer-songwriter during his eagerly anticipated overseas experience in London. He believed music could change the world and found himself at the heart of the 1960s counterculture. While working for a South African-owned bank, Tommy joined anti-apartheid protests alongside his flower-power girlfriend. His protest songs became anthems for the peace movement, stirring the crowds as he belted them out at demonstrations in Trafalgar Square and energising protestors during the Aldermaston marches. Life was a kaleidoscope of love, truth and passion until it all came crashing down in a haze of smoking incense and bitter betrayal.

Fast forward to the 1980s, and Tommy is back in New Zealand, ready to throw it all in. Nobody in 1980s New Zealand cared about folk music. Kiwis were into rugby and wanted cheerleaders with happy jingles, not protest songs. He’s on the verge of despair when he receives an unexpected inheritance from a long-lost uncle. Could this be the lifeline he needs, or a Pandora’s box about to implode?

What inspired you to write this book?

Threepence on the Carpet has been my ultimate slow-burn project—years in the making, constantly sparked by bursts of inspiration and countless rewrites.

The idea for the story came to me as a child while watching a puppet show at the beach during a seaside holiday. While the other children roared with laughter at Punch and Judy’s wild antics, I was fascinated by the puppeteer. After the show, when he emerged from the puppet booth to take his bow, he invariably had tears streaming down his face. Who was this mercurial character? Why did he look so sad when he put the puppets away? What was he like when he wasn’t performing?

The idea resurfaced some years later as an independent film I made in the mid-1980s. While the movie is largely forgotten, a song written by the lead actor, Dave Goodall, lives on in the novel as Ollie’s heartfelt tribute to Tommy, the guru who ignited his passion for music.

I finally began work on the novel in earnest in 2016, five years before the publication of my debut novel, Gang Girl, in 2021.

What research was involved?

Writing Threepence on the Carpet has been an absolute blast, allowing me to revisit my childhood memories of the swinging sixties. I fully immersed myself in the era, devouring books, exploring photographs, and watching newsreels from the time to capture its spirit. The Aldermaston marches, the ‘Ban the Bomb’ movement, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the scandals, The Beatles—this was the decade that shook Britain and the rest of the world.

What was your routine or process when writing this book?

My writing routine evolved over the years as this novel took shape. While working on the scenes set in the sixties, I began each writing session by listening to folk music from that era. Joan Baez, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, and Judy Collins were constant sources of inspiration, helping the story flow seamlessly onto the page.

To breathe life into the Punch and Judy scenes, I delved into historical documentaries that revealed the raucous energy and colourful history behind this iconic puppet show. Watching puppeteers relive the magic helped me capture the drama, laughter and underlying melancholy that make the show so remarkable and enduring.

When it came to the closing chapters, I felt an overwhelming need to reward the readers who’d stuck with me for 195,000 words with a genuinely satisfying conclusion!

Your novel already includes a soundtrack, but if you were to choose a couple of well-known songs from the era as well, which would you choose? 

The three songs that inspired me the most while writing were We Shall Overcome, Where Have All the Flowers Gone and Blowing in the Wind. Each of these songs evokes the spirit and mood of my story perfectly.

If your book were made into a movie, who would you like to see playing the lead characters?

Rather than casting a famous actor in the lead role, I’d much prefer to see an emerging Kiwi musician take on the part of Tommy. I’d love the actor to perform all the songs himself with freedom to adapt the lyrics and develop the tunes. I would like to extend that opportunity to the rest of the cast, so they can showcase their musical talents. Who knows? The film could be their breakthrough—minus the hardships Tommy, Ollie and Zoe face in the story, of course.

What did you enjoy the most about writing this novel?

The most rewarding aspect of writing this book was immersing myself in the characters’ journeys. Over the years it took to bring their story to life, I shared their laughter, felt their grief, and celebrated each small victory along the way. Their struggles and triumphs became my own, making each twist and turn in their lives feel personal and unforgettable. Sharing in their highs and lows gave me a sense of connection and purpose, turning the writing process into an enriching and joyful experience.

What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?

I felt a rush of adrenaline as I typed the final sentence, akin to stumbling across the finish line after running a marathon, breathless but elated. My body was exhausted and in dire need of a rest, but my mind was already brainstorming ideas for new books. Despite the irresistible urge to continue writing, I’m about to celebrate with an extended trip visiting family and friends in Thailand before diving further into my new projects. Besides the opportunity to unwind, there’s something about Thailand that makes it the ideal writer’s retreat. Maybe it’s the vibrant scenery, the deliciously spicy food, or the smiling faces of the Thai people. Whatever the reason, Thailand always inspires my creativity and fills me with fresh inspiration.

What is the favourite book you have read so far this year and why?

It’s early January, and I have just finished my first book of 2026, Hamnet, by Maggie O’Farrell. What a brilliant start to the New Year! Hamnet is a beautifully crafted historical novel that explores the imagined story behind the death of Shakespeare’s only son, Hamnet, and the far-reaching impact it has on his family—particularly his wife, Agnes. Maggie O’Farrell weaves together the domestic world of the Shakespeare family with the broader historical backdrop of late 16th-century England, including the ever-present threat of plague and the challenges of rural and urban life. I can’t wait to see the film, starring Jessie Buckley and directed by Chloé Zhao.

What’s next on the agenda for you?

I have three projects on the go at present. The Road to Mumbai continues the journey of two beloved characters from The Road to Madhapur as they embark on a new life in Bollywood. Their dreams pull them apart—Zac is swept up by the film industry’s glamour, while Rajani’s heart leads her to the Dharavi slums, where she makes a documentary on the life of an HIV-positive orphan. I have also just begun work on Godzone and the Gorillas, the final instalment in the Gang Girl series. In this dramatic conclusion, mother and son must unite to defeat the gang that tore their lives apart. It promises to be an emotional and action-packed finale that brings their story full circle.

I’m beyond excited to announce that I’m working on a new thriller series, The Doctor Who Knew Too Much. Inspired by completing a course on writing thrillers by Lee Child, I conceived the idea of an ex-army doctor whose life is constantly under threat, and he’s perpetually on the run—the Jack Reacher of the medical world. He has his own version of the Hippocratic Oath: First Do No Harm. Then run. So how did a humble GP in a remote, rural practice end up on a notorious gangster’s hit list? Find out when the first book, No Time to Heal, hits bookshops, hopefully later this year!

Audacious Ink