Jeffery Deaver has just released his 15th Lincoln Rhyme novel. finds out more

Nora McElhone

American crime and thriller writer Jeffery Deaver, 71, knew he was destined to be a novelist from his childhood days in the Midwest. He grew up alongside sister Julie Reece Deaver who is a successful author of fiction for young adults and had decided on his career path as he edged into double figures. “I knew I wanted to be a fiction writer from age 11 or 12,” he explains, “but also knew that there are no prodigy writers. I needed to live life for a time before I began my career as a novelist. Accordingly, I worked as a journalist and attorney until my 30s, at which time I became a fulltime fiction writer.”

Like many people who write for a living, storytelling has always been at the heart of Jeffery’s life: “Storytelling was vital to me, as I had no talent for sports – or anything else,” he laughs. “But I loved creating stories. I would see movies and then marshal the neighbourhood kids to recreate what I’d just seen – and change the endings so that they suited my sense of the tale. I still harken back to those early days of making up exciting stories – crime, Westerns and fantasies. There was no doubt that I would become a thriller novelist some day.”

Those childhood crime stories then grew into novels which allowed the author to create multi-layered tales and plotlines. “I like crime fiction because it allows me to create emotionally intense stories on all levels – the main crime (can the terrorist or killer be stopped?), but also personal relationship plots and geopolitical plots as well.

“In The Midnight Lock, I look at the dangers of blogs propagating fake news as real, and our willingness to give away our privacy.”

With more than 40 thrillers under his belt, Jeffery is comfortable with his choice of genre. “I write in the genre that I feel lets me create emotional, engaging stories better than any other – crime,” he says. “I’ve read Man Booker and NBA novels. I love them. But my talent is genre storytelling, though I do add resonance

and depth. After all, one could say that Shakespeare was a genre entertainer, too.”

“The Midnight Lock was inspired, as many of my books are, by a real-life incident – in this case, observing a talented locksmith. I thought what if there were a sociopath who learned the skills of lockpicking? He could get into any house and then… well, I can’t say anything more, as I’m a suspense writer and I have to leave you in suspense.”

Do his stories ever get under his own skin? “No, my stories have no effect on me – except to the extent that I’m delighted when I come up with an idea that I think will terrify my readers.”

A recent tour of Italy has given Jeffery an insight into what readers have enjoyed about this latest book. “People love the premise of a crazy man who can get into private spaces,” he explains.

“But the broader themes have also garnered much interest – the dangers of what we post on the internet, and the dangers to true journalism posed by fake news bloggers and conspiracy nuts, who capture audiences with their lies.”

The Midnight Lock, HarperCollins, £8.99.

Jeffery Deaver is inspired by real-life incidents.