A Mysterious Interview with Cameron Trost

The Third Black Beacon Book of Mystery will be released on the 18 th of April (but the Kindle version is available for pre-order today at just $0.99 instead of $3.99) and to celebrate this new volume of detective mysteries guaranteed to put your little grey cells to work, we’re interviewing the contributing authors. Do you dare peer into their devious minds, where criminal masterminds battle brilliant sleuths, private eyes, and police detectives? Settle down in your favourite armchair and get ready to pit your wits against the finest voices penning mystery puzzles today!

Hi Cameron,

It’s always tricky interviewing a mystery writer about a particular story because we don’t want to give anything away, but can you tell us (carefully) where the idea for your story came from?

I've contributed two stories to this volume of the Black Beacon Books of Mystery. The inspiration behind "The Adventure of Woodbury Barrow" is two-fold. This story is connected to a previous Oscar Tremont mystery, "The Problem at Rose Grove". Without giving anything away, I can say that the conclusion of the earlier story found our intrepid protagonist being proposed the opportunity to solve a mystery concerning strange noises coming from within a neolithic burial mound on a country estate in Oxfordshire. Having given myself this challenge at the end of "The Problem at Rose Grove", I effectively forced myself to come up with a great idea for yet another puzzle. Necessity being the mother of invention, and with awen, the Celtic manifestation of inspiration ever guiding me, I soon conjured up what I hope you'll agree is an original and entertaining mystery.  

Do you have a favourite fictional detective?

Sherlock Holmes is the most unoriginal answer to this question, and yet, he really is my favourite. That said, there are plenty of others, and I wonder how many of you, particularly in North America, are familiar with Jonathan Creek, the English magician living in a windmill. A fine TV series with clever mysteries to solve. 

If you were a detective, private investigator, or amateur sleuth, what would be your trademark quirk?

I mean, I'd be Oscar Tremont, wouldn't I? Look carefully at our names. Notice anything? In other words, there would be drinking of whisky, twitching of the moustache, and a cheeky sense of humour. 

Do you have a writing routine or particular requirements for a writing session?

Whisky with a dash of peace and quiet. That's it. 

What are you working on now?

I'm not spending enough time writing. That's always the case. Am I supposed to be working on the first Oscar Tremont novel? Don't answer that!

Where can we find you online?

Everywhere. The easiest way is to check out my website: camerontrost.com

Thanks for playing along!