SHOTSMAG CONFIDENTIAL: Graham Bartlett : True Detective investigated by Shots

The Police Procedural is a staple of the Crime, Mystery and Thriller genre, so we asked former Police Commander turned writer Graham Bartlett for some insight. For those who maybe unfamiliar with the name, will however be familiar with the names Peter James and Roy Grace; the award winning writer of the best-selling Police Procedural series set in [but not restricted to] Brighton [Sussex, England] and his Investigator.

Graham Bartlett has over a thirty year career, which commenced as a Beat Cop, culminated into his becoming Chief Superintendent – and who now has taken up writing. It was while working with Sussex Police, that Peter James and Graham Bartlett’s paths would cross.

Peter’s heavily researched thrillers, involved much time spent with the Sussex Police [amongst many others people], and then a collaboration of sorts evolved; culminating in the release of Death Comes Knocking : Policing Roy Grace’s Brighton, a companion piece to James’ Police Procedural Thrillers.

This is a timely book considering 2016 marks Peter James’ recognition by his peers at The Crime Writers Association [which he chaired for two consecutive terms], with the Diamond Dagger Award – click here for video of Peter at Crimefest 2016, where he acknowledged this accolade in a witty speech.

So after reading this book, which we reviewed at Shots, we were fortunate to meet up with Graham during the recent Theakstons Crime-Writing Festival, where he was appearing, with Peter James, who incidentally chaired the programming for 2016.

So with thanks to Sophie Ransom and Pan Macmillan; Shots Magazine got to spend some time with Graham Bartlett during the Theakstons Crime-Writing Festival to investigate the Police Procedural, with of course emphasis on his own work, and the link between the fictional detectives, and that of their real life counterparts.

The Police Procedural has truly international appeal. In North America and Canada, we have many popular series, from Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch Thrillers, as Connelly was a renowned journalist covering the crime beat in Los Angeles before turning to penning his own thrillers.

We had Evan Hunter aka Ed McBain with his 87^th Precinct team, former cop Joseph Wambaugh, Jeffery Deaver with his Lincoln Rhyme mysteries, Tess Gerritsen and her Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles, James Patterson and Alex Cross, Craig Johnson and Walt Longmire, Thomas Harris with Will Graham and Clarice Starling, Linda Fairstein and Alexandra Cooper, and Canadian Louise Penny and Inspector Armand Gamache, Karen Slaughter and Will Trent, James Lee Burke and Dave Robicheaux, Elizabeth George and Thomas Lynley, John Sanford and Lucas Davenport – and I could go on and on, as well as the crossover to Film and TV versions as well as the iconic characters such as Dirty Harry Callahan as portrayed by Clint Eastwood, from a character created by screenwriters Harry and Rita Fink – though there are far too many others to name, apart from this one and this one which are personal favourites.

Though reading through the list of American Police Detectives and their writers, one would think this sub-genre is dominated by the United States and Canada. However I would assert that the Police Procedural is very much alive and kicking in Europe.

Though many European Police Procedurals have their roots across the Atlantic [in terms of influence] as well as the legendary Swedish Writing Duo, as I discovered when I interviewed the late Stieg Larsson’s Father who told me “Stieg’s mother and I both read crime novels by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö, and there were many others, such as Mickey Spillane. I don’t feel we encouraged Stieg and his brother to read this kind of book, but maybe we did.”

Read More Here

The influence of the Martin Beck Police Procedurals from Maj Sjöwall and her partner, the late Per Wahlöö upon contemporary writers today, cannot be underestimated as this link indicates.

We soon had Jo Nesbo and his Harry Hole thrillers, the Late Henning Mankell and his Wallander thrillers, and of course a personal favourite, Arnaldur Indridason and his Reykjavik Detectives. I have to state for the record, that his novel Jar City, which was originally titled ‘Tainted Blood’ when first published in the UK, is one of my all-time favourite police procedurals. And like in America the popularity in Europe for Police Procedurals, be they Novels, TV, or Film continues and in-concert with our interest in how order is maintained in society.

Without appearing jingoistic, I have to say that when it comes to the Police Procedural, the British have some of the most engaging series on the market currently. From Ian Rankin’s Rebus, Peter Robinson’s Alan Banks, Val McDermid’s Carol Jordan and Tony Hill, Lynda La Plante’s Jane Tennison, PD James’ Adam Dalgliesh, Ruth Rendell’s Wexford, Stuart MacBride’s Logan McRae, Mark Billingham’s Tom Thorne, Reginald Hill’s Dalziel & Pascoe, David Mark’s DS Aector McAvoy, and many, many others.

Which brings us back to one of the most popular British Police Procedural series currently in print; the Roy Grace Thrillers penned by Peter James. Now after over a decade, the appeal of the fictionalised adventures of the Sussex Police does not seem to abate. This lead to an interesting companion book, just released “Death Comes Knocking : Policing Roy Grace’s Brighton” by former Police Officer Graham Bartlett and Peter James.

Both writers James and Bartlett attended the 2016 Theakstons Crime Writing Festival, where Shots got a chance to investigate the police procedural in more detail, with a focus on the Roy Grace Thrillers, and this companion volume, ‘Death Comes Knocking’.

Ali Thank you for talking to Shots Ezine, so firstly we can see from Death Comes Knocking, your passion for Law Enforcement; so tell us where the passion for writing comes from? Are you a reader and if so what were the early books from childhood that made an impression?

Graham From as early as I can remember I have loved books. I don’t know whether I’m just an escapist but I love immersing myself in other people’s worlds, be it their reality or their fiction. I think it all started with Wilbur Smith’s Courtney series. I found the intermingling of power, rivalry, love and tragedy, together with the stunning description of African life and landscapes completely addictive.

In the police I found that I had a particular gift for writing readable reports, on even the dullest and most turgid topic. When I started to blog I was delighted with the reaction, even more so when one was picked up by a local paper. That made me think ‘hang on, maybe I can string a sentence or two together when I retire.’ I asked Peter James’ advice and the rest is history!

AK And tell us a little about when you first met Peter James? And could you tell us a little about David Gaylor of Sussex Police who also worked with Peter.

GB Sussex Police had a long history helping Peter with his research. David Gaylor was his principle contact and he became the blue print for Roy Grace. David, one of the most driven and talented detectives I worked with, was my boss for a few years. When he retired, he suggested to Peter that he linked up with me. I had just become the Superintendent at Brighton so was in an ideal position to take on the mantle. We got on famously which was handy as there were some aspects of what we did that Peter wasn’t allowed to see. He completely understood that and was never offended when he was asked to dissolve into the background.

AK So what do you put down to Peter’s international success with the Roy Grace novels, though you do mention the authenticity and research in these books, but that only gets you so far in terms of popular appeal?

GB The research is important as it underpins the whole story but I think the characters Peter creates, with all their strengths and flaws, are so utterly believable that readers really care about them. People want Grace to get his man but also they want him to find happiness in his personal life and not be so put upon by his bosses. The plots themselves are so wonderfully interwoven that they do not bog the reader down nor confuse them. As in reality, they ebb and flow, they collide and they co-exist but life goes on in spite of them and Peter nails that every time.

AK So I have to ask, which of Peter’s Roy Grace thrillers is your favourite and why?

GB When I picked up the first Roy Grace novel, Dead Simple I was stunned with its brilliance. Since then, year on year, each new instalment has been amazing. It’s hard to pick out a first amongst equals but, until this year, Dead Man’s Grip and Not Dead Yet have stood out. Then along came Love You Dead, the most recent Grace offering. I remember reading drafts of this and excitedly phoning Peter to tell him that this was his best yet. The pure evil of the villainous Jodie and the scheming murderous ways she entraps her various prey, together with the re-introduction of the psychopath Tooth was riveting. The climax was brilliantly conceived; it honestly left me breathless.

AK I am very fond of his Perfect People techno-thriller, as well as his horror and short stories, so have you read any of his non-Roy Grace work? [And if so your thoughts?]

GB I loved Perfect People too. Not many people know this but Peter wrote that years ago and wanted to wait for the right time to publish it. He started to become concerned that the science was catching up with the fiction he had created so, into the shops it went and, as with all his books, it was a blockbuster.

I have read many of his supernatural thrillers and love them, especially Host. They are much darker than the Grace novels but sometimes you can see traces of his previous genre in his present one, especially in You Are Dead. I always struggle how someone so friendly and warm as Peter can come up with such shocking and evil people and plots.

AK Had you attempted any writing [outside of your Police activity] before Death Comes Knocking? And was it your retirement from the service that prompted your first foray into literature?

GB Running the UK’s second busiest police station got in the way of my ambition to write, but having tried my hand at blogging – which I must get back to – I knew I wanted to write in some form when I retired. I am so glad I did. I find it incredibly rewarding. I like nothing more than locking myself in the office and letting the words flow. It is like a second calling for me. I know Peter James has given me an amazing platform for my first book but, whatever the future holds, I will certainly carry on.

AK Peter indicated in the forward and in your opening that care had to be taken with police vernacular, such as “…they proceeded in a Northerly direction…….” As fiction and commercial writing is a differing beast; so how did you approach the task of avoiding “Police Speak”?

GB I’d like to think that I have never really ‘proceeded’ or ‘observed.’ I’ve always preferred to ‘walk’ or ‘see!’ Many of the jobs I held in my latter years involved working with people outside of the police, so I had to become jargon-free. That said I still had some of the old ways. I tended to describe everything in painstaking detail, with numerous caveats, and in strict chronological order. Julie, my wife and most forthright editor, and Peter, kept a sharp eye out for Police Speak and cajoled, or rather beat, it out of me!

AK I found your sense of humour added an extra dimension to your recollections, as some of the cases are disturbing, so is ‘Gallows Humour’ a coping mechanism for the law enforcer when faced with the darkest aspects of human nature and society?

GB Absolutely, and it’s the same for the other emergency services as well as the military. It’s never disrespectful but we see things that no person should ever see and you have to learn to deal with that. If, after every distressing incident, we carried its burden around with us we would eventually become ill and unable to do the difficult job the public deserves. By using humour to cope we are able to emotionally move on quicker and be ready for the next tragedy. It doesn’t always work, however, as I discuss in the chapter Every Detective’s Nightmare. Were it not for my incredible wife, I could have lost everything.

AK Humour comes across with the forgers David Henty and Clifford Wake, which epitomises the memory of gentleman criminals. It is in stark contrast to some of the darker recollections, including the issues of Brighton’s drug problem and the psychopath such as Paul Teed – so after thirty years policing Sussex and publishing your recollections [in-concert with Peter James], how has it affected you as a person?

GB I don’t know what I would be like without those thirty years of dealing with the public at both it’s worst and best. I joined at 18 so had no life experiences before I became a cop but I know that wonderful career shaped me. I have never looked to judge anyone. That might be surprising but I have seen so much good and bad in the same people that I have tried to focus on the deeds rather than categorise them. Every criminal has a story, as does every victim. I was, and am, passionate about protecting people from harm and seeking justice after a quest for the truth. I don’t subscribe to stereotypes or hysteria.

[L-R Mari Hannah,Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, S J Bolton, Graham Bartlett Peter James]

I am still the one who will walk towards danger rather than away. That’s crazy but it is how I was conditioned and I will probably end up getting hurt one day because of it!

I am very hard to shock and when bad things happen, or look like happening, I am most comfortable when I am at the tiller trying to put things right or at least stop them getting worse. That’s the training and the culture, but when I was commanding a firearms incident or a potential riot I realised that if I didn’t sort things out no-one else would.

AK And tell us about the reaction from Macmillan when they were approached about Death Comes Knocking?

GB When we first mentioned Death Comes Knocking to Geoff Duffield, the Creative Director of Pan Macmillan, his reaction was astonishing. He was so enthused by the concept and saw a real gap in the market that this type of non fiction could fill. As expected, however, he was very quick to stress that the concept wouldn’t carry the book itself, neither would the Roy Grace brand. It had to stand on its own two feet and be very well written.

When we submitted the first draft to Ingrid Connell, who became our editor, I was so nervous that I may not have cleared the two hurdles Geoff had set. Peter and our agent Carole Blake had worked hard on the book with me but I knew we would only get one chance. It was a JFK moment when the offer came through from Pan Macmillan; I will always remember where I was (on the Brighton to London train en route to a Sam Smith concert!). They were blown away by the first draft and eager to snap it up. I must admit I thought that was the job almost done. Little did I know that was just the beginning of the hard work.

AK I enjoyed your appearance at Theakstons Harrogate, so tell me what you got up to while at the event, and also about the promotional activity that is required in launching a work such as “Death Comes Knocking”?

GB My first reaction when I arrived at the Swan Hotel Harrogate on the Thursday evening was ‘What am I doing? I have no right to be here. This is for proper authors!’ However, I couldn’t have been made to feel more welcome. Firstly sharing a bottle of wine with the legend Jeffrey Deaver then bumping into Mari Hannah, who I have the greatest respect for, was a real privilege. Obviously I spent time with Peter but after the panel event, so many people were fascinated by Death Comes Knocking, my previous and current career and how I work with Peter that I made lots of new friends.

The promotional work outside of Harrogate was like a whirlwind. We took part in countless radio, TV, newspaper and magazine interviews. We gave sell out author talks and book signings and were frantic on social media tapping into the various angles that Death Comes Knocking covers. I lapped it all up and was delighted by the reaction to the book.

AK And do you think you will attempt a full fictional novel? Or do you prefer writing about your Police Experiences?

GB Yes, I definitely would like to write a novel. I have actually started one. It’s so rewarding being able to write about the real world of policing but I think I could create all sorts of mischief and intrigue by applying my knowledge and my new found writing skills to a police procedural. I am coming at it from a completely new angle so hopefully, when I eventually finish it, people will love it.

AK Had you trouble selecting the vignettes and tales from your career for the book, and did you outline, or did you allow yourself to just sit down and write, and then tidy up afterwards in re-drafting?

GB At first I gulped when we agreed we would aim for 100k words. How would I find enough stories? But, as with every journey, I started with a single step (or chapter) and just kept building. With at least two of the chapters (Bad Business and Horror Amongst Thieves) I started researching one thing and ended up writing something different, and far better.

I re-read all the Grace novels as I wanted to ensure the stories linked with those, so that triggered some memories but we ended up leaving some stories out as we had so many.

I didn’t write chronologically at first, I just wrote as I researched. Once we had the full manuscript I went back and put all the chapters in order then wove the career and personal timelines into the narrative so the whole book flowed.

AK I am sure you have many other tales in your 30 year career as a Law Enforcer, so do you foresee a companion volume to Death Comes Knocking?

GB That would be great but I can’t say too much about that at the moment!

AK Thank you for your time, and please get back to writing volume 2

GB It’s a pleasure. I may do just that!

Shots have discounted copies of DEATH COMES KNOCKING available here and our review is here and discounted copies of LOVE YOU DEAD by Peter James are available here as are all of the Roy Grace Thrillers from this link here

Shots would like to pass our thanks to Graham Bartlett, Peter James, Sophie Ransom, Pan Macmillan and Theakston’s Crime Festival for their help with this interview.