By Lauren Hewitt
Qualified Chartered Accountant CC Kirk brings a different perspective to the world of detective fiction, using her financial expertise to explore the motives and money trails behind crime.
Although money is the motive in countless detective stories, few delve into the art and science of actually following it. Kirk’s books explore illegal markets, money laundering and the clues hidden in people’s spending habits.
A lifelong reader, Kirk began writing at the end of 2012 and has not stopped since. She spoke to 041Online about her journey to publication, her writing routine and why accountants deserve their place alongside forensic investigators in crime fiction.
Tell us about your road to publication in South Africa
I have been writing for just over 10 years.
My first three books were published internationally, but I was still working full-time for a corporation and it became difficult to keep to the timelines. I then started publishing through Kindle Direct Publishing.
A year ago, I was introduced to Willow Trading by Rosalie Fox and decided to give it a try.
Are any scenes in your books based on real-life events?
All the information about the size of illegal markets and the methods used to launder money is based on real life.
If one of your books were made into a movie, which actors would play your characters?
I tend to prefer BBC dramas to American television, and I have learnt that a good actor can portray a character much better than a good-looking actor.
There are so many to choose from, but I like Matthew Goode and Matthew Macfadyen. And David Tennant, of course. I would create a series for him if he ever became available.
What was your favourite childhood book?
I loved Enid Blyton’s books, and I started reading Sir Arthur Conan Doyle while I was still in primary school.
Tell us about your writing routine
I write every day, seven days a week. Once I have an outline in place, I try to keep to a targeted word count.
How do you celebrate finishing a book?
I usually run a free book promotion on Amazon for my previous book so that my readers can celebrate too.
How do you select your characters’ names?
My main characters are named after friends and family, or I use names that I really like.
For non-recurring characters, I pick random first and last names from news articles.
What inspired the idea behind your books?
Each series was inspired by something different. Underlying it all is the concept that most crimes have a financial motive, or that you can learn a great deal about a person by studying their spending habits.
In television series and movies, it takes the detective a minute to find the “shelf company”, and the terrorist very politely writes that they bought explosives in the transaction description!
I figured that if we have forensic anthropologists, forensic crime scene technicians and pathologists solving crimes, why not accountants?
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
Among living authors, I would choose James Rollins or David Baldacci. I love Rollins’ Sigma Force series, and Baldacci writes the best opening lines in the genre.
Among authors who have died, I would choose Agatha Christie. There are more adaptations of her work currently in development than there were during her lifetime. She truly achieved timeless appeal.
I would also choose Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Who does not love Sherlock Holmes?
Would you be friends with any of your characters in real life?
Absolutely! The friendships between the characters are a central part of my books.
Do you have a message for your readers?
Do not waste your time worrying about things that could go wrong because they seldom do.
Enjoy life, take sensible risks and always remember to use possessions and value people, not the other way around.
Connect with CC Kirk
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