Tom Mead’s short fiction has appeared in publications ranging from Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine to The Best Mystery Stories of the Year, and his debut locked-room mystery novel Death and the Conjuror (Mysterious Press, 2022; Head of Zeus, 2023) was an international bestseller, and named one of the best mysteries of 2022 by Publishers Weekly. Its sequel, The Murder Wheel, is published in 2023.
Meet Tom Mead
Questions on Writing
What is the hardest part of your writing experience?
Editing is always the worst, because you’re ripping apart your own ideas. But when it’s done there’s a great sense of liberation, and the feeling that you are developing into a better writer bit by bit.
What have you learnt about yourself when writing?
Just how lucky I am to be able to do something I love so much. There are ups and downs on the professional side, but when it’s just me, a pen, and a blank sheet of paper, I honestly couldn’t be happier.
Do you make yourself writer everyday/regularly, or only when inspiration strikes?
I think it’s essential to write every day. Writing is a craft that you need to practise. I used to wait for inspiration, but that way madness lies. I’m not good at sitting around and twiddling my thumbs; I need to keep my brain active.
What does literary success look like to you?
I went into the publishing business with extremely low expectations, so everything that’s happened so far has been a pleasant surprise. I’ve had lovely reviews and correspondence from readers related to Death and the Conjuror – to me, that’s what success looks like.
How much planning/world building do you do before writing, and how much comes along as you write?
I need to know the plot beforehand (whodunit and how they dunit), but I tend to leave myself a bit of room to play with when it comes to characters, clues and red herrings – it’s fun to take an idea and run with it from time to time.
What is it that attracts you to a particular genre?
With locked-room mysteries it’s the buzz of the intellectual challenge, both as a writer coming up with the puzzles and as a reader trying to decipher them. For me, there’s nothing else quite like it.
How do you celebrate when a book is published?
When Death and the Conjuror came out I had a launch party at my local Waterstones in Derby. But this time around it’ll probably be more modest – just a nice, relaxed meal with family and friends.
Questions on Books and About You
Firstly, the most important question, what books are currently ‘on your bedside table’?
I’m currently reading a proof copy of Three Card Murder by J.L. Blackhurst (Jenny Blackhurst), which comes out in August. Loving it so far! And in terms of Golden Age mystery, I’m breezing through a Michael Innes novel. Delightful!
What children’s book would you suggest every adult read?
The ‘Three Investigators’ series – particularly those written by Robert Arthur. His plots could be brilliantly sophisticated, and he ever underestimated the intelligence of his younger readers.
What does your writing space look like?
My office is wallpapered with theatre posters and reproductions of classic crime covers, to keep my imagination fired up. But I also do a lot of writing in cafés – I’m writing this in a café, for instance.
How many books do you think you own?
Hundreds. Thousands. They’re everywhere, and seem to actively resist all my efforts to organise them.
Who is your literary icon?
John Dickson Carr, the master of the locked-room mystery. He was a real magician with his plots, and had a wonderful gift for suspense to boot.
If you could own one rare/1st edition copy of a book, which would it be?
A signed Agatha Christie; probably my favourite, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Until recently I would have said an autographed John Dickson Carr, or else Death of a Jezebel by Christianna Brand, but I was fortunate enough to acquire both of those not too long ago.
Is there an author who you always read?
Well I keep coming back to the Golden Age of Mystery. Aside from the authors I’ve mentioned already, there are so many legends – Ellery Queen, Nicholas Blake, Helen McCloy, Edmund Crispin, Freeman Wills Crofts – all with wonderfully long lists of works to be discovered and rediscovered. So the Golden Age is a constant source of joy to me.
And finally, are there any plans for any new books? If so, what teasers can you give us?
I’m currently working on finalising the manuscript for the third Joseph Spector mystery, which is called Cabaret Macabre. It’s going to be coming out next summer. In it, Spector finds himself caught up in a strange set of circumstances surrounding the decidedly unpleasant Drury family. This leads to a string of bizarre and seemingly impossible crimes perpetrated by a phantom killer who is picking off members of the family one by one.
Thank you Tom 😊 I can’t wait to read the sequel and I’m looking forward to book nummber 3 next year
Tom Mead’s Books
Books By Your Bedside 