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Valverde Maclean

Life and love can take us to unexpected places


An Interview with the Author


Interviewer:  Your story “The Disappearance of Merry” seems to cross various genres. Would you agree?

VM:  A number of readers have made that comment.  I had never thought of it in that way.  Certainly there is some romance, some mystery and obviously some crime.  Perhaps the story even has a touch of history and travelogue. There could also be some social comment hidden away.  However I think many stories combine various interests.  Even in the heaviest crime novels there is often the beautiful woman who may turn out to be good or bad.  Maybe some readers see particular genres as having fixed styles and my story doesn’t neatly fit into any one such style.


Interviewer: Who do you see as a reader for your novel?

VM:  I think I could probably cross out a number of readers.  I would be very surprised if it appealed to teen readers.  It’s not “Harry Potter”.  Also the “Hunger Games” readers are unlikely to be interested. There is no Sci-Fi, so those readers are out.  It certainly is not any “Shade of Grey”, so it is not in that market. No cowboys, so it is not the Cowboy novels of years ago.  No  “heaving bosoms” and “meaningful glances from dark flashing eyes” so that genre of romance is out.  Also, no extreme violence.  I hope I have some readers left!


Interviewer:  Perhaps you had better say what may interest any readers still left!

VM:  Well I hope it is a good story that carries the reader along a journey.  There is the question of two people and their relationship now, and also of their past.  There is the mystery of what happened to a missing woman and the dangers the main characters face.  As well I think the reader will discover places that are very interesting, and well worth visiting, and also learn a little of the colourful background of Australia.


Interviewer: Thank you for your time.

VM:  Thank you for having me.