Stuart James Dunne, who writes under the name Stuart James, has just published a new psychological thriller set in Rye called Doppelganger. It is is an adventure of murder, betrayal and chaos.
But Stuart hasn’t always been an author and it was fun to find out how it all started.
What is your background?
I sang in a band for over 15 years playing Irish Celtic rock and back in 1999 we were voted the best live pub band in Britain. It led to us being the first ever live band to play on Chris Tarrant’s breakfast show on Capital radio, and also appearing on shows like ITV’s The Warehouse and Virgin Radio. I stopped gigging as it was becoming too much. I was a full-time plumber at the time and working five days a week and four gigs every weekend was too much and something had to give. Years after I stopped, while working for Pimlico Plumbers in London, the boss, Charlie Mullins, called me into his office. He knew of my musical background and asked if I’d get a band together for a prime-time talent show hosted by John Barrowman which would air every Saturday night on BBC. I had a week to audition plumbers from work, get a song down and then appear on the show. I auditioned loads of staff members and then I found a drummer, bass player and lead guitar player. We had to practise round the clock for our first appearance a few days later. It paid off as we won the entire show and were crowned Workplace Wonders champions. The show was watched by around ten million people every Saturday night.
When did you start writing and how many books have you had published?
I started writing ten years ago and self-publish all my thrillers. My second thriller, The House on Rectory Lane won the International Book Award and I managed to get a huge readership after that. I’ve written ten thriller novels and I have also finished my eleventh one called Beneath the Fold, a ghost story based in Dingle, Ireland where a lot of my family live. It has also managed to land me my dream agent, Camilla Bolton at Darley Anderson.
Do you always write psychological thrillers? What fascinated you the most about this genre?
I write scary psychological thrillers as I love a chilling story. I grew up on all the 80s slasher horror movies and became hooked on chilling stories. I also have a fascination with ghosts and the paranormal and often take my daughter and her friends ghost hunting. We are actually thinking of starting a small business in that line of work if we’re brave enough.
Your latest novel is set in Rye: why is that?
Doppelganger, my latest novel, is set in Rye. My wife and I have visited numerous times and fell in love with the place, from its quaint coffee shops, antique stores and boutiques, to its beautiful bars, restaurants and the famous jazz bar. We also love Camber Sands which is only a stone’s throw away and plan to move to Rye in the next few years. To me, it’s a breathtaking part of the world and people are just so friendly.
Do you have the finished book idea in your head before you start or do you let the story lead you in different directions?
I usually plan the thriller novel when I get an idea. The question is usually, what if? What if, say for instance, a woman is desperate to escape her abusive husband. She manages to convince her best friend to help, who breaks into the wrong apartment. That’s the question I had that started Apartment Six, one of my bestselling thriller novels. I have some of the story planned out but often I go where it takes me. I rarely have the final twist until the last few pages.
Do you generally like your main character? Or is it someone whom you would not like to meet in real life?
Usually, I love the main characters in my novels but sometimes, they do things I’d never dream. But yes, I have to have an affiliation with the main character and like them. It’s often someone in a dire situation who has to act fast to resolve it.
Where do you get the inspiration for your characters?
My characters could come from anywhere, often people I meet and chat to when I’m out. I always type into my notes the weird and wonderful things that happen to both me and people I meet. That often spurs an idea for a plot and I take it from there. I love to talk to people and hear strange things that’s happened to either them or friends of theirs. That to me gives me inspiration to write and develop an idea I might have.
Did you always want to be a novelist?
I didn’t always want to be a novelist. I’ve always loved stories, especially telling ghost stories from a young age. I remember leaving school when I was sixteen. As I was walking out of class for the very last time, my English teacher asked me to wait behind. I thought I was in trouble. When everyone was gone, she asked me to become an author. I was knocked for six. She went on to say how the reason she came to work, was to read my stories. I thought she was having me on but she was deadly serious. It was such a beautiful compliment and it was always in the back of my mind.
Fantastic news about being No I on Amazon: tell me a little more about that?
Thank you so much and yes, being number one on Amazon is absolutely incredible. It’s a dream come true. I’ve had wonderful times so far being a writer and last year, I was nominated for TikTok breakthrough author of the year. My wife and I were invited to a lavish party in London where we got to hang out with Sara Cox and author Lisa Jewell. It was such an incredible night. I love to meet my readers and make sure I get back to everyone on social media and readers who email me. They are the most important people as if they didn’t read my work, I couldn’t write the books so my readers are the most special people in the world.
Are you writing your next novel yet?
My latest thriller novel is my first full length ghost story called Beneath The Fold, which takes place in an old, abandoned farmhouse on the cliffs in Dingle, Ireland. It is a place I love so much.
Image Credits: Stuart James , Stuart James .