James O’Loghlin is a comedian, television and radio host, and author of thirteen books. He began his career as a corporate lawyer, realised it wasn’t for him, and became a criminal lawyer and a comedian. He has hosted four television shows – including The New Inventors on ABC-TV for eight years – and presented programs on ABC Local Radio for fifteen years.
In 2021 his first play, Television, was shortlisted for the Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award and was Highly Commended by the judges of the Silver Gull Play Award. James co-hosts the mental health podcast ‘Minding Your Mind’ with Professor Ian Hickie.
Liars is James’ 13th book, and second novel for adults. James lives in Sydney with his wife and three daughters. James talks to NZ Booklovers.
Could you tell us a little about your novel?
Joe, a reformed drug addict, returns to the small coastal town he grew up in to start afresh. He starts working for the local handywoman, Barb Young, but when a woman he has been seeing is murdered, Joe quickly becomes the police’s main suspect. Bard, however, is sure Joe is innocent and starts digging, and gradually uncovers a web of secrets and lies.
What inspired you to write this book?
I love murder mysteries and wanted to try to write one. I like how they have to work as two different things – as a story and as a puzzle. I liked the idea of a murder happening in a small coastal town, where everyone thinks they know everything about each other, but actually they don’t. They all have secrets.
What research was involved?
Not much, happily. I needed to find out a few things about drug overdoses and recovering documents that have been deleted from a computer, but apart from that I just made it all up.
What was your routine or process when writing this book?
I started with the premise of a reformed drug addict returning home and suddenly finding himself a murder suspect. From there it was just a matter of peering into the mist, asking myself lots of questions about what was going on and why, and gradually discovering more bits of the story.
I don’t really believe in writing rituals. Whenever I have time, I sit in a chair and type. Lounge chair, plane seat, park bench, wherever. Don’t need candles, mantras or for some sort of muse to magically descend.
If a soundtrack were made to accompany this book, name a song or two you would include.
Shivering by David Kilgour
Fallin’ Rain by Karl Blau
On The Avenue by Aztec Camera
Funky For You by the Deadbeats
In the book, there is a band that is pretty integral to the story, but I didn’t write any songs for them, because I can’t write songs.
Who would you like to see playing the lead characters if your book was made into a movie?
Barb –Cate Blanchett
Joe – Ben Wishaw
Seb – Adam Scott
Dev - Demi Mann
Viv – Bill Hader
Gary – Harry Lloyd
Leanne – Abbie Cornish
What did you enjoy the most about writing this novel?
Finding out who the characters are, and what their secrets are, and working out how to layer in lots of clues, false leads and red herrings without (hopefully) giving anything away
What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?
Finishing is a gradual process. When you send it to the publisher it feels finished, but it’s not because they always have lots of suggestions about how to make it better.
The two most exciting moments and getting sent your first copy, and publication day. We had a fantastic launch that lots of people came to. It was fun and even a bit overwhelming
What is your favourite book this year and why?
Fiction – Resolution by Irvine Welsh. Love everything he writes. He’s funny, smart, psychologically astute and brave enough to go places most writers are a bit scared to.
Non Fiction – Barca by Simon Kuper. I’m not very interested in soccer, but was fascinated by this riveting account of the rise and fall of Spanish soccer club Barcelona.
What’s next on the agenda for you?
The sequel to LIARS – out next year.
Echo Publishing
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