‘I hadn’t thought about it until I was asked about writing a Christmas novella’

After selling The Appeal by the truckload on both sides of the Atlantic, Janice Hallett has returned to the lives of The Fairway Players to provide another slice of murder and tragedy, just in time for Christmas.

Speaking to The Book Insider, Janice said that the amateur dramatics company of her debut novel had drawn her back to them and she realised that there was another story wanting to burst out from behind-the-scenes of the drama group.

Had it been her intention to return to the characters of The Appeal? Janice hadn’t seen it on her writing horizon to begin with. She told us: “Not at all. I didn’t give the prospect a second’s thought until my editor asked if I’d ever fancied writing a Christmas novella.

“Even then I didn’t give it a second’s thought, but said I’d think about Christmas – it was August at the time – and see what happened.”

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Once she started the process of bringing The Christmas Appeal to life, Janice found that there was definitely more to be unearthed about her original characters.

The bestselling author explained: “As soon as I began, I realised I’d subconsciously written something from the point-of-view of a character in The Appeal.

“It was strange, as if The Fairway Players were drawing me back to them, because once I started, I couldn’t stop. It was like visiting old friends, or returning to your childhood home.

“I relished the whole experience, especially finding out what’s been going on in the drama group since the events of The Appeal, which was set mostly in 2018.

“Some things have changed in those four years, some stayed the same, but everyone is involved in the Christmas charity panto… until a body is found.”

It has not been the only item on Janice’s writing agenda as there has also been talk of The Appeal and The Twyford Code being adapted for TV.

Janice said that the process has begun, though there is a long way to go before we get to see them come to life on the small screen.

Janice said: “The road to adaptation is long and winding. I’ve written pilot scripts for both The Appeal and The Twyford Code, but that doesn’t mean either are close to broadcast, or even filming.

“You need a lot of luck and prevailing winds before something is green-lit, and we’re nowhere near that stage yet – with either project. If everyone could keep their fingers crossed, that would be wonderful!

The [Mysterious Case of the] Alperton Angels has also been optioned, but very recently. I hope, at some point, to write the pilot for that too.”

So, what next for Janice? With a collection of bestselling novels and nominations for crime writing awards, does she know where she will be going next?

Janice told us: “There are always several different ideas bubbling under at any one time. The next full-length novel has been on my mind for a while and I’m still not entirely sure which idea will win through in the end.

“At the moment I still need to do the structural re-write of The Examiner, so once that’s out of the way, I’ll turn my thoughts to the next one.

“Meanwhile promotional work fits in around the writing – and it’s a balancing act. Getting out, meeting readers and booksellers is one of the joys of being an author, but unless I get down to writing, they won’t have anything to read or sell!”

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