Scene of the Crime with Author Deon Meyer!

I credit this week's featured author with renewing my interest in reading books set in Africa. South African author Deon Meyer's books have been translated into 25 languages from the original Afrikaans. From experience, I know that his thrillers are hard to put down, and-- good news for anyone wanting to pick up one of his books for the first time-- almost all his books are standalones, so you won't get the feeling that you have to "invest" in trying a new series.

Deon Meyer

When I first contacted Deon about an interview, he told me that he was just about to set out on his motorcycle to do research in a remote corner of South Africa. He believes in taking a lot of photos during these research trips, and if you visit his website, you can see where many of the scenes in his latest book, Trackers, are set.

Here are a few links so you can learn more about this talented writer:

Deon Meyer's website

Deon Meyer on Twitter

Deon Meyer on Facebook

More on Deon Meyer's books

Now let's get started with the interview!

What was the very first book you remember reading and loving? What makes that book so special?

It was probably one of the books in the Afrikaans ‘Huppelkind’ series. It is a long time ago, and today I can only recall being lost in the enchantment and magic of the storytelling.

Outside of your writing and all associated commitments, what do you like to do in your free time?

Reading, off-road motorcycling, ballroom dancing, movies, trying to learn Adobe After Effects, and growing fruit and vegetables.

If I were to visit your hometown, where would you recommend that I go? (I like seeing and doing things that aren't in all the guide books.)

Night view from Lion's Head  ©Vermaakjeanne

When you visit Cape Town, have lunch at Bizerca Bistro, buy flowers from the market in the Heerengracht, feed the squirrels in the Company Gardens, watch the world go buy from any of the coffee shops in Long Street, and go climb Lion’s Head on a night when the moon is full.

You have total control over casting a movie based on your life. Which actor would you cast as you?

John Goodman

Good grief, it’s not exactly going to be a blockbuster … John Goodman?

Who is your favorite recurring character in crime fiction?

Detective 2nd Grade Stephen Louis "Steve" Carella in Ed McBain’s 87th Precinct series.

Name one book that you've read that you wish you had written. What is it about that book that made it come to mind?

J.M. Coetzee’s Disgrace. It is perfect, on every level. Not a single word wasted.

How did you celebrate when you first heard you were to be published? What did you do the first time you saw one of your books on a shelf in a bookstore?

I was too dirt poor to afford any sort of celebration, but I do remember making considerable noise. When I first saw my book on a shelf, I furtively moved it to a more prominent spot ….

I don't know if you've seen it, but I love Parnell Hall's video about book signings. What is the most unusual experience you've had at a book signing or author event?

At an arts festival in South Africa, I was enjoying the spotlight whilst being interviewed (a first for me at the time). An agitated woman walked onto the stage and asked us to please keep it down, because the judges in a fruit preserve competition next door found it hard to concentrate.

What's the best thing about eBooks? What's the worst?

The convenience while travelling is the best thing about eBooks. The worst is probably the piracy.

On Sale Now!

Thank you so much for taking the time for this interview, Deon. We appreciate the opportunity to get to know you a little better.

May your book sales do nothing but increase!