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Kevin Lewis |
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Kevin Lewis is the author of The Kid, The Kid Moves On, Kaitlyn and Frankie. His latest novel is Fallen Angel. He is married with two children and lives in Surrey.
Born in 1970 in South East London, Kevin’s childhood years were spent in the city’s rough council estates. The violent and depraved conditions that Kevin lived in are documented in the internationally bestselling autobiographical books, The Kid and The Kid Moves On. Whilst other children were playing Kevin was often locked in a bare room with only his thoughts. As a way of escaping to a better world, Kevin made up stories. In the absence of paper and pens he would write on the walls with anything he could find. His stories were barely legible to anyone else but in his mind they took him far away from his cruel surroundings.
Today Kevin combines this creative skill with his knowledge of the inner cities to write novels with gritty realism. He has been praised for his ability to develop intriguingly fast-paced storylines and multi-layered thrillers. His first novel, Kaitlyn, was an instant success and has been described as a gritty detective story with a real heart and a gripping fiction debut. Kevin has also been billed as The Future King of Crime (Heat, 2006).
Kevin currently lives in Surrey with his wife and two children and their dog Ollie. Here’s a snippet from his most recent newsletter in which he talks about his latest novel, Fallen Angel:
‘It's a gritty, fast-paced thriller about two boys who've been kidnapped, and DI Stacey Collins' task of finding them before the 72 hours is up. Having grown up on one of the worst estates in South London, DI Stacey Collins is no stranger to the darker underworld of London crime. Her gangland connections and her past means she's seen as something of an outsider in the force, a maverick who operates outside of traditional police procedures . . .
It's only a month to go now until the book hits the shops and I'm really excited because it's the start of something different for me - DI Stacey Collins will be appearing in my next two books so you'll be seeing a lot more of her! One of the best parts of writing Fallen Angel was that I met some incredible people while researching the novel. In particular I was lucky enough to talk to some of the team who have worked within the Metropolitan Police's elite Kidnapping and Extortion investigation unit.’
» Read an extract from Fallen Angel here
You can visit Kevin Lewis' website at www.kevinlewisonline.com.
From smiles to memories and fears, Kevin Lewis answers our quick-fire questions below.
Tell us about your new book Frankie...
Homeless, streetwise and running away from a past she would rather forget, Francesca Mills is just another face on the streets of London. When a violent encounter leads to a man's death, however, she is forced to leave the harsh world that has become her home and forge a new life elsewhere. On the run, Frankie unknowingly stumbles across a dangerous secret, a secret so powerful that men will stop at nothing to protect it. She tries to build a new life, but you can only stay anonymous when no one wants to find you. Hunted by both the police and shadowy assailants with powerful connections, the odds are stacked against a woman who will do whatever it takes to protect herself - and those who mean most to her.
Who or what always puts a smile on your face?
My children
What are you reading at the moment?
Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Which author do you most admire?
Raymond Chandler
What's your earliest memory?
At home with my mother alone
What is your greatest fear?
My children being hurt
How would you like to be remembered?
As a person who didn't let his past affect his future
Have you even done something you've really regretted?
Yes and I'm not telling
How do you spoil yourself?
Polo and fly fishing
What's your favourite word/book?
Best word ‘Bollocks’. Best book Lady in the Lake by Raymond Chandler
Who do you turn to in a crisis?
My wife Jackie
What makes you angry?
Arrogance
Have you ever had any other jobs apart from writing?
Yes many
Are you in love?
I have three loves in my life. My wife Jackie and two children
What's your worst vice?
Giving into the children when Jackie has said 'NO'
What are you proudest of?
My children
Where do you write?
I have a room in the attic
Where's your favourite city?
London
When was the last time you cried?
Can't remember
One wish; what would it be?
For my children to make the most of life
