Books / Bryan J Mason
Bryan J Mason returns to Belfast for the second in his black comedy crime trilogy
Following An Old Tin Can, published by Spellbound Books in May 2024, Bristol crime author Bryan J Mason is now set to release the second in his black comedy crime trilogy: Dead On.
Set in Belfast, 1990, during the Troubles, the series features Chief Inspector Harry Burnard and his squad, alongside a cast of morally complex characters that includes informants and criminals – two not necessarily mutually exclusive classifications.
Ahead of the launch, Mason shared his thoughts on returning to a familiar world, finding his feet within the crime writing community, and what’s next for him as a writer.
Cover for Dead On, Bryan J Mason – photo: Spellbound Books
Dead On is the second Harry Burnard book in your trilogy. What was it like to rejoin familiar characters and to take them on a new adventure? Did their direction of travel ever surprise you?
“When I wrote An Old Tin Can, the first part of this trilogy, I imagined it would be a standalone novel, although I left some plot points open in the hope that one day I could return to the characters. When my publisher suggested a series, I jumped at the opportunity.
“My relationship with my characters can be complex. Some might get killed off, but I have a great affection for most of them (including the nasty ones) and it has been a pleasure to get to know them again. They live in my head as real people and tend to go in a different direction than I planned. Harry, my detective hero, is a complicated man determined to find out the truth, and because of his predilection for irrationally acting on impulse whenever danger is around, never ceases to amaze me.”
Bryan J Mason has appeared on multiple panels at CrimeFest
What, for you, are the most exciting parts to developing and writing a novel, and where are the pitfalls?
“Once I have the ideas in my head I start with a rough outline of a plot, although I always know how the story ends. What I most enjoy is getting the characters and their interactions with each other right. When that is in place and working well, they help write the plot themselves. I know what has to happen, but getting there is where I need to maintain focus and think about what the reader will make of all it. I make sure that the characters continue to be authentic, and that the humour is never forced.
“Writing the second part of a series for the first time, I was concerned about how much back story to include so that Dead On could also be read as a standalone story. Stephen King has some great insights on that, and I have tried to follow his advice.
“Writing about the Troubles in Northern Ireland means I do a lot of research. There is so much more material now available, but so many things have changed. Harry and the Squad are based in Andersonstown police station, which was demolished in 2005, but there is still plenty of atmosphere around, and people who lived through the time have been extremely helpful in telling me about their experience.
“The main pitfalls are often the silliest. My characters are obsessed with eating biscuits, and finding brands that were present in 1990s Belfast can be tricky. I couldn’t find out whether Oreos were available but managed to overcome that with a character bringing some back from a holiday in the States.”
Bryan J Mason at CrimeFest
How has your experience of interacting with the crime fiction community – in panel discussions and book events, for example – shaped the ways in which you approach your own work?
“This has been the most surprising aspect of being a crime writer. People have been lovely. I belong to a fabulously supportive local group comprising writers and bloggers, where we swap tips about writing and promotion, as well as suggesting contacts. I still have to pinch myself that I am a published author.
“I have been fortunate to be invited to several crime book festivals, such as CrimeFest in Bristol, and the enthusiasm and warmth of readers and the whole crime writing community has sometimes unsettled me. I was expecting backstabbing, and nastiness, but I’ve been told that those traits are more common in the world of romantic fiction.”
Dead On is released on November 5
To what extent do you grow attached to your characters, and if they aren’t lucky enough to make it out of your books alive, do you miss them?
“I enjoy writing all of my characters despite – or because of – their moral or psychological failings. I killed off one of my favourite baddies in An Old Tin Can and still have regrets about not being able to spend time with him anymore. However, I write about crime during the Troubles, so murder and killings come with the territory. I was discussing which major character to kill off with one of my readers, and she convinced me not to do away with a potential victim, but another who she never liked. So that settled it.
“Harry and the Squad will always be with me. It’s somewhat worrying, but I feel more affection towards them than towards some of my friends!”
Bryan J Mason (right) at a book event for his first novel Shaking Hands with the Devil
Where are you now in terms of plotting for the conclusion to this trilogy?
“I am over a third of the way through writing my first draft and understand what has to happen to arrive at my decided ending. I always allow room for changes along the way and know that the characters will go off and do things I won’t expect, and mess around with the plot, but that is to be expected.
“The final part in the trilogy is There Are No Happy Endings and I love the mystery that title conjures up. Is that for everyone, or for any particular character? There is a quote at the beginning of the book by the American poet Dean Young: “if you want happy endings, read a cookbook”.
“As to what’s next, I am now starting to plot my next series, to be set in a Victorian undertaker’s business called Underwood and Niece. I have some stories in development and look forward to doing some in-depth research and fleshing out the new characters so they live and breathe as clearly in my head as Harry and the Squad.”
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Bryan J Mason: Dead On (Spellbound Books) is out in paperback on November 5. The Kindle edition is available to preorder now. There will be a free launch event at The Meeting Room, Holy Trinity Hotwells on November 20 at 6.45pm, with a Q&A, readings, and refreshments.
To find out more about the author’s previous and future books, visit www.bryanjmason.com or follow @bryanjmason.
All photos: Bryan J Mason
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