No Known Grave
No Known Grave is set in 1942 in the country town of Ludlow. Even in wartime, crime happens and has to be dealt with. Detective Inspector Tom Tyler has just moved to the town, hardly knows it, but has to investigate two murders. They have occurred at St. Anne’s convalescent hospital that is on the edge of town. It is run by a small community of Anglican nuns. Here young men and a handful of civilian women are recovering from horrendous injuries incurred in the war. Some are blind, some crippled, all are horribly disfigured. The very next night, one of the nursing sisters is also murdered. Given the setting of this remote, walled hospital, Tyler soon concludes the killer has to be among the residents. Somebody is faking the extent of their incapacity. However that doesn’t provide any sort of motive for the killings. Then Tyler begins to receive anonymous letters that allude to war crimes even more monstrous. He has to determine how these events relate
to what has happened in the hospital. And there is the fear that there will be more killings to come.
How did it feel to have your books made into a TV adaptation?
It never ceases to be thrilling. I have been fortunate to have worked with such a good team, writers, directors, costume, set design…all fabulous.
Please tell us about the character of DI Tom Tyler.
I see Tyler as not un-typical of the time. He is born into a country town, gets married too soon and for the wrong reasons so by the time he hits forty, he is not fulfilled in his career or matters of the heart. He is energetic, smart, thoughtful and underneath a certain toughness, he is tender hearted. He takes his job as police officer very seriously even if he is frustrated at times by the pettiness of the crimes he has to investigate. That of course, is not the case when murder enters the picture and he relishes the challenge.
Why did you decide to set the book in Shropshire?
I have two very good school chums who moved to Shropshire. We have visited regularly for years now and I feel Ludlow is a home away from home. Also, there was actually an internment camp not far from Ludlow which is the setting for the first book, SEASON OF DARKNESS. I really like going to actual locations to soak up the atmosphere.
Why did you feel the main character had to be so complex?
I like complex characters. Nobody is one dimensional. I wanted readers to believe in the authenticity of Tom Tyler.
Why did you emigrate to Canada from the UK at age 17?
I came with my mother when I finished grammar school. She had gone through the awful fear of the war, my father was killed in Italy, the post war years were grim and dreary. She thought Canada would provide a richer more exciting life. (it didn’t). I was a typical restless teen ager who had studied for too many hours. I thought it might be more exciting and provide more opportunities.
Please tell us about your research process into the time setting for the book.
This could be a book in itself. I love this part of writing. I read all the primary sources I can get my hands on. The BBC project, the people’s war, from a few years ago was most helpful. People telling their own stories of what they had experienced. I read memoirs, diaries and also discovered, MASS OBSERVATION which I think should be required reading for all citizens.
What is next for you?
I am in the middle of a fourth Tyler book. This too is set in Ludlow and relates to the true discovery of the Bitterly Hoard. Silver coins from the Civil War period. The story brings in the Italian POW’s who were in Ludlow at the time; children who had come over with the KINDERTRANSPORT from occupied Europe. And Tyler struggling with his wounded heart.