Why did Daniel have to die?
BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival presents Paula Hawkins in conversation with Suzanne Leal about Paula’s latest bestseller A slow fire burning, in which long-smouldering secrets finally burst into flame and result in murder.
When Daniel Sutherland is found murdered, it triggers questions about three women who knew him. Each of them has experienced some form of loss or trauma in her past. Laura is the troubled one night stand last seen leaving his home. Carla is his grief-stricken aunt, already mourning the recent death of another family member. Miriam is the nosy neighbour clearly keeping secrets from the police. The three women have separate connections to the victim and all three are – for different reasons – simmering with resentment. Who are, whether they know it or not, burning
Paula Hawkins
PAULA HAWKINS worked as a journalist for fifteen years before turning her hand to fiction. Born and brought up in Zimbabwe, Paula moved to London in 1989 and has lived there ever since. Her first thriller, The Girl on the Train, has been a global phenomenon, selling almost 20 million copies worldwide. Published in over forty languages, it has been a No.1 bestseller around the world and was a No.1 box office hit film starring Emily Blunt. Into the Water, her second stand-alone thriller, has also been a global No.1 bestseller.
Suzanne Leal
Interviewer Suzanne Leal is the author of the novels The Deceptions, The Teacher’s Secret and Border Street. A regular presenter at literary events and festivals, she is the chair of the fiction and poetry panel for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and former senior judge for the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. A lawyer experienced in child protection, criminal law and refugee law, Suzanne is a senior member of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal and former member of the Refugee Review Tribunal. She is the host of Thursday Book Club, a weekly online discussion about books and reading.