Last One At The Party by Bethany Clift

Sue Moorcroft tells Caroline Lindsay why she’s indebted to her ‘plotty head’

It’s November 2023 and the human race has been wiped out by a deadly virus – named 6DM after the “six days maximum” you can survive once infected. Yet one woman is alive, alone in a world of burning cities and corpses. She is not your typical survivalist hero though, and her initial reaction is to hole up in a luxury hotel, ransack Harrods and snort cocaine. In the opening note, Bethany Clift acknowledges her novel was written before the current pandemic swept the globe, with final edits made as the UK first went into lockdown. However, cleverly re-edited with references to Covid-19, this apocalyptic vision is utterly chilling, making for a debut novel that holds its own in the dystopian genre. Last One At The Party is brilliant and creepy, yet surprisingly funny and feminist. It also races towards a stunning conclusion.

9/10

As an Army child, Sue Moorcroft spent much of her childhood in Germany, Cyprus and Malta, “often caught telling extravagant lies or daydreaming – perfect talents for a novelist”, she laughs.

Starting small, her first successes were letters to the press and then short stories. Sue sent one to The People’s Friend and then another to My Weekly. My Weekly published first, beginning a writing career that was to span short stories, articles and columns, magazine serials, a writing guide, writing courses and bestselling novels.

“My first novel was published in 2005 and my first nine books were released by small publishers,” Sue explains. “Then I began working with my agent, Juliet Pickering, of Blake Friedmann Literary Agency, and she sold my books to Avon Harpercollins. The first went to number one on UK Kindle, the third made me a Sunday Times bestseller. This winter I have new releases in the UK, Canada, US, Italy and Germany.”

Sue’s latest book, Christmas Wishes, came out near the end of last year. It’s the story of Hannah, who loses her shop in Stockholm and her ex tries to swindle her.

“Nico’s an ex-ice hockey player and a single dad; he has two children and an eating disorder,” Sue explains.

“Hannah and Nico both return to the tiny English village of Middledip and Christmas Wishes is a ‘what happens now?’ story as they each try and find their future.”

Up at 6.30am most days, and at her desk an hour later, Sue reveals she feels compelled to write, rather than inspired.

“I’m indebted to what I call my ‘plotty head’, which meanders off on its own, creates stories and won’t leave them alone until they’re complete,” she says.

“Also, deadlines – I’m contracted for two books a year.

“I work till six in the evening, but there’s often an hour or two off for a dance class or a walk. Social

media’s done along the way and often into the evening.”

She has recently sent in the first draft of her next book with the working title of Our Starry Italian Summer.

“It’s the story of Zia, who discovers two birth and death certificates for her mother, Felicity Chalmers. They bear different dates,” she says.

Inspired by authors like Jill Shalvis, Linda Howard, Jules Wake, Christina Courtenay and Kathryn Freeman, she has her own top tips for writing: “Story, story, story,” she stresses.

“Characters lead the story to a satisfying ending. Imagery and flow are important, but story is queen.”

Sue loves meeting her readers and says ruefully: “Unfortunately, that’s usually via conferencing software at the moment. I’ll be super glad to have real-life events again and enjoy the buzz.”

Before she goes, she has one last observation: “Books make excellent gifts. They give hours of pleasure and they’re easy to wrap.”

The blind people who come under the care of the Dundee and Lochee Mission to the Outdoor Blind were splendidly entertained on Saturday at the annual social gathering, organised by the Ladies’ Auxiliary and held at St John’s UF Church Hall.

Ex-lord Provost Longair presided over a large attendance and Mrs Wm Kinnear brightly addressed the blind people. There were many burdens to be borne in this world at the present day, she said, and other people besides themselves had many burdens to carry. It was their duty to lighten these burdens and make the best of life.

Sue Moorcroft says she feels compelled to write.