I want my books to explore motives which make people think, 'Wow! Imagine the psychological state you'd have to be in for that to be your motive!' Whereas things like blackmail, jealousy - they're rational reasons for committing murder. Sophie Hannah blackmailbookcommit share on social
If we knew more about psychology, we would be better equipped to deal with other people's psychological damage which they might project onto us. Sophie Hannah damagedealequip Change image and share on social
Only Agatha Christie can write like Agatha Christie. Sophie Hannah agathachristiewrite Change image and share on social
My father, whose hobby was collecting secondhand cricket books, came back from a book fair one day with a copy of 'The Body In The Library.' Sophie Hannah backbodybook Change image and share on social
When a writer tries to copy another writer, it's doomed to fail. Sophie Hannah copydoomfail Change image and share on social
Cambridge is heaven, I am convinced it is the nicest place in the world to live. As you walk round, most people look incredibly bright, as if they are probably off to win a Nobel prize. Sophie Hannah brightcambridgeconvince Change image and share on social
I know a lot of crime writers feel very underrated, like they're not taken seriously, and they want to be just thought of as writers rather than ghettoised as crime writers, but I love being thought of firmly as a crime writer. Sophie Hannah crimefeelfirmly share on social
A lot of women feel like they should be enjoying motherhood, they should be fulfilled and shouldn't be thinking, 'I wish I didn't have to do this.' Sophie Hannah enjoyfeelfulfill Change image and share on social
Crime fiction is a way of satisfying that nosy need to know. Sophie Hannah crimefictionnosy Change image and share on social
My crime novels are highly structured. I never start out with a dead body. I start with an impossible scenario. Opening questions should be mysterious, weird, intriguing, and contain the seeds of the solution. The structure has to be meticulous - I'm a structure freak. Sophie Hannah bodycrimedead share on social
