CAPTION: Minnesota-based mystery novelist Blair London’s “Airport Staling” released in January.
Thrill and suspense have seized readers for decades. From the late 1880s spyglass-equipped boxer in a floppy deerstalker, to the modern maven of mystery as the lead role of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” mystery novels seem to have an eerie way of keeping a dedicated audience.
Blair London, an upcoming author from Northwestern Minnesota, keeps the mystery genre alive with her latest release “Airport Stalking,” which hit shelves in January.
“My books are kind of a mystery-thriller, a little bit on the dark side,” she said.
London said that her story ideas are a compilation of scenes from her dreams, crime that frequently plagues the news and experiences from her own life.
Authors such as Stephen King, John Grisham and California State University, Long Beach alumna Jan Burke, Edgar Award winner for Best Novel in 2000 and author of 14 critically acclaimed novels, are known for concocting the perfect balance of imagination and suspense to keep the pages turning.
London sets herself apart from other mystery writers by addressing modern day crime that is relatable in contemporary times. Her four most popular novels address airport stalking, child trafficking, veteran’s PTSD nightmares and social media horrors.
The Daily 49er spoke with London about her novels and opinion of why mystery has managed to remain prominent over the years.
What first inspired you to write?
What really got me started on these types of modern day crime books is that a lot of them began with me having dreams. I kept dreaming about missing children and that I find them. You know, I grew up in a small town and I remember things like cellars in the basement of vacant properties around here. The children in “Children Below Us” are found in a basement, so I really drew on that. I watch a lot of crime movies and I see a lot of this on the news. I just wish I could change the world with my books.
Do you have a process that you go through when deciding what to write about?
I never think of the title first. If I did that, I would never start writing. All of a sudden, I start writing and then I have to go back and add stuff in the beginning. I just keep going and the words just seem to keep coming. I mean, even for my dissertation, I ended up having to cut it in half.
How do mystery novels speak to an audience and keep them coming back for more?
I think that even people who don’t read a lot are so invested in these topics. Like my latest book, “Airport Stalking”, is a new crime. A lot of people look at that and want to learn, especially if they can relate. If they can relate, not maybe by experience, but by news stories or what they see, it intrigues them. It’s kind of why crime shows are so popular. A lot of them capitalize on what’s in the media so people are invested.
What can your readers expect from you in the future?
Right now, I’m working on books about a pedophile and sociopath, squatting and scamming. The one about the sociopathic pedophile started as being about my ex-husband. He was a sociopath. I combined that with what I saw on the news to build up the character. I also started it about Robin Williams killing himself, so I pulled on that as well for the main role.
Are any of your books going to make it to the big screen?
Oh, I’m just hoping and waiting for somebody to pick them up to buy the movie rights! I just try to do what I can on my end to put them out there. I actually have a lot of endorsements and actors interested. Matthew McConaughey has said he can’t wait to play a role in a movie adaption. Connie Britton, Patricia Heaton and John Walsh have also expressed an interest. John Walsh has said that every parent should read “Children Below Us”. You know, they’re interested in these topics and these books—they care.
What is it about mystery that keeps it so alive and prominent?
I think a lot of people like to read in that genre and I think that with the new e-readers, people can read much easier. I find that when I read on e-readers, I don’t get as tired. Plus a lot of other things are factors. I know a lot of the time I purchase books on marketing or something and I think ‘what a waste of money’, even if it was only like $2.99. I could finish those in one sitting, so I like reading something I can put down and come back to. Just like a movie, you need a pause button. People are invested in these stories and the convenience helps.
Just for fun, what is your all-time favorite book?
“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë. I have it in Spanish, leather bound and many other versions.
So, what about “Jane Eyre” makes it your favorite?
The drama in it! It just kept me reading. I even wrote my dissertation on it.
All of London’s books are available on Amazon and are currently being produced as audiobooks.