Today is paperback release day for the brilliant Resurrection Bay by Emma Viskic so to celebrate I asked her my “Getting to Know You” questions – thanks so much for taking part Emma. Details on the book follow.
Tell us a little about your current novel, what readers can expect from it..
Resurrection Bay is the first novel in a series featuring Caleb Zelic, a profoundly deaf investigator. When his best mate is murdered, a sense of guilt and a determination to prove his own innocence sends Caleb on a hunt for the killer. But he can’t do it alone. The investigation takes him places he’d rather not go, including his hometown and estranged family. As he delves deeper into the investigation, Caleb uncovers unwelcome truths about his murdered friend – and himself.
The second novel in the series, And Fire Came Down, will be out in the UK this August.
Where did you grow up and what was family life like?
I grew up on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia with my brother, sister and parents. It was a bit of a free-range childhood, without much money, but with plenty to do. We lived in a newly built suburb on the fringes of the bush, so my siblings and I spent most of our time exploring the nearby building sites, bush land and swamps. When it rained, we went indoors to read. I went to the local schools, and then went on to study classical clarinet at the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, and then the Rotterdam Conservatorium in The Netherlands.
Academic or creative at school?
A bit of both, but my greatest achievements were in daydreaming.
First job you *really* wanted to do?
When I was six, it was a toss-up between being a writer and a builder.
Do you remember the moment you first wanted to write?
I’ve been writing since I could read. We lived a long way from the nearest library, so whenever I finished the books I had, I wrote my own. I wrote in the style of whatever I was reading at the
time, so they began as Enid Blytonesque stories in my primary years, and went through to Greek myths and bad John le Carré rip-offs when I was a teenager.
Who are your real life heroes?
I’m always a little nervous about having heroes, but I do deeply admire a number of people. The first one who springs to mind is my father-in-law, who is a Gunditjmara elder and all-round wonderful human being. He’s accomplished an astounding number of things in his life – including founding the Koorie Heritage Trust and the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service – and has helped shaped me as a person.
Funniest or most embarrassing situation you’ve found yourself in?
There are far too many to choose from, so I‘ll go with the most recent. Last week, the neck ties on my top got caught in a pedestal fan and nearly strangled me. There were witnesses.
DIY expert or phone a friend?
DIY, but I should phone a friend. That list of embarrassing stories involves a circular sander and a top with neck ties (Yes, another one. One day, I’ll learn.)
Sun worshipper or night owl?
Both! But I am also a champion napper.
A book that had you in tears.
A Little Life. I read it over a long weekend and didn’t stop sobbing the entire time.
A book that made you laugh out loud.
Nice Try by Shane Maloney. A funny, absurd crime novel which centres around Melbourne’s bid for the Olympic games. It’s a few years old now, but really stands the test of time.
One piece of life advice you give everyone
Don’t listen to me.
Thanks so much Emma!
About The Book:
CALEB ZELIC IS ON THE HUNT FOR HIS FRIEND’S KILLER
Caleb Zelic’s childhood friend has been brutally murdered – fingers broken, throat slit – at his home in Melbourne. Tortured by guilt, Caleb vows to track down the killer. But he’s profoundly deaf; missed words and misread lips can lead to confusion, and trouble.
HE NEVER FORGETS A FACE
Fortunately, Caleb knows how to read people; a sideways glance, an unconvincing smile, speak volumes. When his friend Frankie, a former cop, offers to help, they soon discover the killer is on their tail.
IT MIGHT JUST SAVE HIS LIFE
Sensing that his ex-wife may also be in danger, Caleb insists they return to their hometown of Resurrection Bay. But here he learns that everyone – including his murdered friend – is hiding something. And the deeper he digs, the darker the secrets.
Happy Reading!
