Conversation with Christian White

The Ledge is one of our favourite thriller books this year by far! What a twisted gripping crime novel this is. I personally couldn’t put it down. The final twist was like ‘Wait what?! I definitely wanted to re-read from the beginning. It is no surprise that this is going to be our Crime/ Thriller book of the month when it's out. We won't say which month yet but I am sure it is not that hard to work out!

Today we had the privilege to do this Q&A with the witty and humble author Christian White who is such a delight and pleasure to interview, and who has kindly signed a limited number of copies of The Ledge for Booxies' readers. What a treat that is! Signed copies will be sent out to our Mystery Booxies subscribers, and available to add to your own unique booxies.

• Can you describe your new book ‘The Ledge’ (your elevator pitch)?

[CW] The Ledge is about a group of teenage boys who investigate a mate’s sudden disappearance. Two decades later, those boys – now men – reunite when human remains are found.

• We read your author’s notes, but for the benefits of our readers, can you share with us the inspiration of this book?

[CW] I wanted to write a thriller about the death of childhood – a love letter to the coming-of-age books and movies that shaped me, like The Body (Stand by Me), It, Lord of the Flies, Catcher in the Rye, The Goonies etc… I’m interested in the strange and funny dynamics of male friendship groups. Originally, the whole book was about the kids. But halfway through writing it, I suddenly wanted to know who they were as adults and how the trauma of “then” fed into the “now”. So, the story ended up alternating between past and present. I also wanted to write a protagonist who is a thriller writer, like me. 

• Now we can’t help it but ask, since this story talks about stupid decisions people can make as teenagers, what was the worst thing you’ve done as a teenager? Please don’t share here if it is at the same level of Justin’s worst thing!! :D

 [CW] Ha, there are so many stupid things I did as a teenager – some I’d be happy to share, others I’ll take to the grave. The first one that comes to mind is really weird. I used to be into The X-Files and all things paranormal, a lot like the characters in The Ledge. To tell you the truth, I haven’t outgrown those interests. Once, when I was around fourteen or fifteen, I was researching werewolves (as you do), and I came across an old legend that said one of the ways to become a werewolf is to drink water from a wolf’s pawprint. I didn’t have a wolf, but I did have a dog – a wonderful boy named Tully. Every afternoon after school, I’d take Tully to the beach. One day, I noticed seawater pooling in one of his pawprints. I got down on my knees and drank it. I mean, how bizarre is that!? Oh, and if you’re wondering, it didn’t work. I did not become a werewolf.  

• What’s the best thing and what’s the hardest thing about being an author?

[CW] The best thing about being an author is that I get to do what I love every single day. I spent so many years as an unpublished author, making time to write around casual jobs, after hours and on weekends. Now, I just get to sit in a room and do it. It’s amazing! Also, I’m a dad now, so writing gives me the freedom to work around a school schedule and have lots of time to hang out with my daughter. The hardest thing is being away from home while I’m on a book tour. Touring is incredible – you get to visit new places and meet new people every day – but you also spend a lot of time alone in hotel rooms, which is challenging sometimes.

•  If you weren’t an author, what would you want to be?

[CW] Amazing question. I write for film and TV as well as books, so technically, if I wasn’t an author, I’d be a full-time screenwriter. But if I wasn’t a writer… hmmm… I really like being in places after they’ve closed, so maybe I’d be a cleaner in a spooky school after hours or work the graveyard shift as a security guard in a shopping centre. 

• What’s your favourite drink/snack while reading and writing?

[CW] The two most common things I eat/drink while writing are Coke Zero and Chickpeas. I never realised how weird that is until this moment.  

• Ok, lets’ do a quick fun 'Would You Rather' game
  • Would you rather be under-dressed or over-dressed for the rest of your life
  • [CW] UNDER-DRESSED – 100%
  • Sing alone or dance alone in front of a big crowd
  • [CW] SING ALONE.
  • Never be able to speak again or never be able to write again
  • [CW] THIS IS SUCH A HARD ONE… I’D CHOOSE NEVER TO BE ABLE TO WRITE AGAIN, BUT I THINK I FOUND A LOOPHOLE; I’D JUST GET ONE OF THOSE DICTATION APPS AND SPEAK MY BOOKS INTO THEM. SORRY, I JUST CHEATED.
  • Watch nothing but Hallmark Christmas movies or nothing but horror movies
  • [CW] HORROR!
  • Team up with Wonder Woman or Captain Marvel
  • [CW] OOO… THIS IS A TOUGH ONE. IF WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THE FILM VERSIONS, I’D GO WONDER WOMAN. IF IT’S THE COMIC BOOK, I’D CHOOSE CAPTAIN MARVEL.

----------

Add The Ledge by Christian White to your tbr list and you will be in for a treat with this twisty gripping novel. It's perfect with Read N Wine , Gin Tonic N Books or Read Like a Boss.

If you'd like to get a guaranteed signed copy of The Ledge, don't forget to subscribe to our Mystery Booxies and receive a hand picked book from your favourite genre together with carefully selected premium Australian product to enjoy while reading. Not sure we can beat the Coke and Chickpeas combo that Christian likes but will keep trying!

Read more about Christian White in his website