Tessa Harris is the award-winning author of The Anatomist's Apprentice. In Secrets in the Stones, her latest novel in her Dr Thomas Silkstone mystery series, the past comes back to haunt her eponymous hero when he risks his life to track down an ancient Indian map. Below she lets readers know how she began writing.
Tessa Harris
- Creative writing has always been central to my life. I began creating stories as soon as I could write, aged five. By eight I'd already had my first rejection! After leaving university I even took a job as a croupier in a London casino so that I could scribble away during the day and earn at night. Luckily I was also offered a job as a reporter on my local newspaper at the same time. Much to my parents' relief, I chose the safer option.
- History is my passion. When I was five we visited a dungeon in a castle and the guide turned off the light. Instead of being afraid, I found the experience exciting and I've been hooked on all things historic ever since.
- Oxford is my spiritual home. I loved studying there and it's partly the reason I set some of my mystery novels there. There's history in every alleyway and cobblestone. My husband, Simon, and I were married at my college chapel - St Hugh's - and we plan to move back there shortly.
- Journalism is still important to me. I'm a bit of a news junkie and find it hard to go an hour without keeping up to date with what's happening in the world - even on holiday. My job has taken me to some incredible places: I was told I was the first woman to set foot in Regent's Park Mosque, London, and the first to be allowed into the Long Room at Lord's Cricket Ground. I've also been privileged to meet the three most powerful women in Britain of the past 60 years: HM The Queen (twice), Margaret Thatcher (four times) and Theresa May on several occasions while at Oxford.
- I'm a screenwriter, too, and my Silkstone series started life as a feature film. The script was optioned by a US company, but ended up in 'development hell.' Determined not to let all my research go to waste, I turned the script into a novel all about an American anatomist who becomes the father of forensic science.
- My daughter's campaigning zeal on behalf of animals has reawakened my love of nature. She's worked with orangutans in Borneo and inspired me to do more to protect our local wildlife in Britain. I am a member of my local wildlife group that helps protect local species and campaigns against over-development.
- Sport isn't really my thing, but I love a good hike. There's nothing finer than taking off into the mountains of Wales or the Yorkshire Moors. Finding a good pub en route is always a bonus.
- I live in the same village near Ascot that used to be home to Agatha Christie and Hilary Mantel. (In fact the 'grand dame' of murder mystery lived just half a mile from our house.) I've been inspired by both great writers.
- On special occasions I bring out the bunting. I just love the way that a string of brightly-coloured shapes can transform anything into a celebration. So, when my family is all together, for a birthday or an anniversary, I string it up, outside or in, depending on the weather, and hey-presto, I've made a lovely memory for everyone to share.
- I adore shih'tzu dogs. Growing up I was a cat person, but when we finally gave in to our children and bought a dog, we had a shih'tzu called Indy. He was my constant writing companion, sometimes putting his paw on my keyboard for attention. He died earlier this year leaving such a hole in all our lives. We've just managed to track down his bloodline and discovered that a great grandson of his was born on the day he died. We took it as a sign and we're getting ready to welcome little Teddy next month!
Secrets in the Stones, by Tessa Harris, is out now priced at £8.99 published by Constable.