Relax and Read book club interview with author Denise Mina

Whilst technology can be great, it’s also important to have time away from it and make time for ourselves. The two places we think provide the best opportunity for just that are between the pages of a book and in a spa. Fortunately, the two go perfectly together, making a spa break the perfect time to tune out and reignite the senses by picking up a good book. That’s why Spabreaks.com launched the Relax and Read Book Club, bringing new meaning to the term R&R.

The Relax and Read Book Club will give you the chance to discover new books, learn about the authors, share your opinions and really escape into an inspiring world of literature. This month, we start by interviewing Denise Mina, multiple award-winning author of Conviction, published by Penguin Random House.

What is Conviction about?

It’s just a normal morning when Anna’s husband announces that he’s leaving her for her best friend and taking their two daughters with him. 

With her safe, comfortable world shattered, Anna distracts herself with someone else’s story: a true-crime podcast. That is until she recognises the name of one of the victims and becomes convinced that only she knows what really happened.

With nothing left to lose, she throws herself into investigating the case. But little does she know, her past and present lives are about to collide, sending everything she has worked so hard to achieve into freefall.

“A twisting, darkly comic, thrill-a-minute ride across Europe. If you loved Killing Eve, you’ll devour Conviction”

– Erin Kelly

Where is your favourite place to write? 

I can write anywhere but do like working on a plane. I’m very short so space isn’t a problem and I like not having phone reception or any distractions.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?  

If you’re bored then the reader is bored

What did you do with your first advance? 

I bought my first bike as an adult and I still cycle everywhere

What did you edit out of this book? 

So, so much. For example, Leon had seven children in the first draft and each of them had a back story and second family. It was too much!

If you didn’t write, what would you do for work? 

I’d like to think I’d be a sculptor but I’d probably be a bad lawyer

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?   

I don’t read them because I only remember the negative criticism so it’s not that useful. I don’t often read them but I don’t mind what anyone says as long as its honest and not mean.

What is your favourite childhood book? 

To Kill a Mockingbird. I didn’t read until I was about nine and it was the first book that really moved me.

Does writing energise or exhaust you? 

Energise! I’m an introvert and find being lost in my own head incredibly comfortable.