By Irene Loukisa, @irinilou_born_to_read
A few words about the writer
Chris Carter is the international #1 Bestselling author of the Robert Hunter series. He was born in Brazil, studied Criminal Behaviour Psychology in the USA and now resides in London, in the UK.
Enjoy!
You studied psychology and criminal behavior and then you became a member of the Michigan State District Attorney's Criminal Psychology team. During your work there you encountered and studied many criminals. Did that line of work was the trigger that prompted you to start writing psychological crime thrillers?
Well, yes. The two professions are separated by many years. I didn’t go from being a criminal behavior psychologist straight to writing crime novels, but once I started writing them, my previous profession is the main reason why I write crime fiction.
Did your everyday contact with homicide offenders influenced your writing and were the source of inspiration for your stories?
This is a very similar question to the first one, so the answer is – yes.
Would you say that your stories and your protagonists, i.e. Detective Robert Hunter and his partner Carlos Garcia are based on true stories and real people?
All of my stories are a combination of fact and fiction, but the characters – Hunter and Garcia – aren’t based on real people.
I must point out that you made a stunning shift in your career. After you left the Criminal Psychology team you worked as a professional guitarist in an LA (and not only) glam metal band. In what way that change impacted your writing?
Being a professional musician had no impact on my writing. They are two very different professions.
How come you chose such a different career path?
I like to try different things. I always loved music, so why not?
Now that you are a full-time writer, do you have time to play music, even “non-professionally”?
I play very little at home. I still have guitars, but I don’t play half as much as I used to.
If you do, does it impact your creative process?
Not at all.
Do you feel stressed when the fans can’t wait for the next story of Detective Hunter?
Not at all. I’m already stressed by so many other things.
And last but not least, could you give us a “behind the scenes” peek on your new book?
Sure, it’s about a serial killer.
Thank you Chris for your time and we hope to see you soon in Athens, Greece!