Three of a kind
Latest instalment in Carter Blake series
A former pizza delivery driver for Domino’s in Hamilton is preparing to launch the third novel in his hugely successful Carter Blake Series.
Gavin Bell, who writes under the pen name Mason Cross, launched The Time to Kill at a special event in the Waterstones store on Argyle Street last night (Wednesday).
The book will officially be available to buy from today (Thursday, June 30).
Former Eddlewood man Gavin has already won praise from the likes of Lee Childs, author of the Jack Reacher series, and former US President Bill Clinton for his work.
His debut novel, The Killing Season, drew widespread praise while follow-up The Samaritan was equally well received.
The Killing Season was even nominated for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2015.
And he even appeared on TV last year when The Samaritan was featured on the book club from Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, and got the seal of approval from the chat show hosts.
Despite his success, Gavin (37) admits he is still getting used to life as a established writer.
He said: “I do still feel like a new author and I am always a bit nervous at promotion events.
“It’s hard when something is about to come out, but so far the advance reviews and response has been really good,
“I’ve said this before but sometimes it feels like I have won a competition. Yesterday I was getting my photo taken around Glasgow and it was quite bizarre. People were wondering who I was.
“It’s weird but it’s all part and parcel of getting seen by people and promoting the book.”
His past two books have seen the hero, manhunter Carter Blake, track down a series of unpleasant characters.
But this time, Gavin wanted to make the hunter the hunted, saying: “In this one, Carter Blake is on the run.
“The people he used to work for have decided they want rid of him.
“It was different from writing the first two but I’ve always loved books and movies where one person is on the run against all the odds – things like North by Northwest or the Bourne Identity.”
As well as last night’s launch in Glasgow, Gavin will give a talk at Cambuslang Library on Tuesday, July 12.
Looking further ahead, he will head to New York next year when the book is released in the States.
Gavin is already working on the fourth book in the series, but he admits he is keen to spread his wings.
He said: “I’d still love to do a stand alone book but at the moment things are pretty packed making sure I do one of these books every year.
“I quite fancy the idea of a thriller set closer to home or maybe write a script or comic book.”
The Time to Kill will be available from all good book outlets from today or you can go to www.masoncross.net for more information.