Neil A White was born in Melbourne and educated in his native Australia and the United States. He is the author of the novels Closure, Turn a Blind Eye and Something for Bebe, and the occasional short story. He is also the creator of the ‘Songs Reimagined’ series – Minds Went Walking: Paul Kelly’s Songs Reimagined and Into Your Arms: Nick Cave’s Songs Reimagined. Neil talks to NZ Booklovers.
Could you tell us a little about your novel, Shadow Lives?
Set in Ukraine shortly before the 2022 Russian invasion, Shadow Lives is the story of a foreign correspondent (Matt Latham) seeking answers and some small measure of retribution for a grieving family. One daughter (Katya) has been killed in an explosion, while the other (Nadiya), he discovers, has been swept up into the world of human trafficking. Adding to the intrigue is that Matt is also a reluctant spy for Australian secret intelligence and is running away from a complicated family history. Far from a super-hero, Matt will never save the world; he can barely save himself. But his investigative skills are first-rate and, although constantly surrounded by chaos where not every outcome is pleasing, he eventually gets his man.
What inspired you to write this book?
It is my (very humble) homage to the spy novel masters of my youth. Eric Ambler, Len Deighton, and the master, John Le Carre. The vast majority of their novels featured an ordinary protagonist placed into an impossible situation. And that is, Matt Latham; no special skills, not particularly likeable, and definitely not a superhero, but trying his best to do the right thing. But with Matt it always seems to be one step forward and two steps back.
What research was involved?
An incredible amount is the short answer. I prefer to use real places and events to make my novels as realistic as possible. Therefore, getting even the smallest of details right is important. For example, I read innumerable articles on human trafficking to portray Nadiya's travails as accurately as possible. And for Matt to uncover Katya's killer, I did a lot of reading surrounding the 1980s Soviet war in Afghanistan. In fact, it was down a late-night rabbit hole I came across the Mitrokhin Archive - KGB agent who defected to the UK in 1992. His archive covers much of the Soviet involvement in Afghanistan, and it was here I surreptitiously slipped in a photo which helps Matt uncover Katya's killer.
What was your routine or process when writing this book?
Going in, I knew I wanted this to be a character that could endure. For Matt to be able to move seamlessly around the world and from one adventure to another. More directly, and from experience, having a solid chapter outline was a must. Though as the novel progressed it did occasionally meander off course as characters tend to speak in ways I hadn't anticipated (always best to listen) but the end goal remained clear. And routine? Don't force it. Some days you're a fireman pointing a torrent of words at the screen, others you're a miner digging for that elusive nugget.
If a soundtrack were made to accompany this book, name a song or two you would include?
What a great question. Music plays such a big part in my writing. For example, when warding off writer's block I'll transition to a short story and delve into songs and create a new world from perhaps one simple lyric. In fact, that was my inspiration for the 'Songs Reimagined' anthologies I created. And with 'Shadow Lives' many songs that are alluded to are woven into the chapter's narrative. But settling on one or two? Impossible. Though I'd like to think the soundtrack would be a combo of Mark Knopfler's melancholic blues, Something for Kate's pulsating rock, and with a sprinkling of grittiness from Warren Zevon.
Who would you like to see playing the lead characters if your book was made into a movie?
Probably best answered as who would not play Matt. Matt's just an ordinary Joe that's not particularly handsome and doesn't possess any special skills - though he does have a solid left foot (no further spoilers). He's definitely not the stereotypical Chris Hemsworth superhero. So, if I do name someone, I would probably have just insulted them. Regarding the (recurring) antagonist, Arkady Voronin, picture an effeminate eastern European version of Kendall Roy from Succession.
What did you enjoy the most about writing this novel?
That it was actually a joy to write. The words seemed to flow. Scene after scene I could visualize in advance. The difficult part was with my typing keeping up with the thoughts running through my mind. Which, for me, isn't always the case.
What did you do to celebrate finishing this book?
I have absolutely no clue, probably took our dog for a walk or mowed the lawn. I wrote 'Shadow Lives' back in 2018 and my usual process is to let a manuscript marinate for a few months while I move on to another project. When I revisited 'Shadow Lives', I knew I had something that had the makings of being ... special. And then the long hard slog began to get a publisher or agent as excited about the book as I. In the meantime, Matt's next adventure 'Best Left Buried' was written. The two 'Songs Reimagined' anthologies were published. I also wrote the novel 'Something for Bebe' which I later self-published here in America. To aspiring writers, if instant gratification is your thing, prepare to be sorely disappointed.
What is your favourite book this year and why?
Not necessarily published this year but that I've read recently, two come to mind. City on Fire by Don Winslow and Two Nights in Lisbon by Chris Pavone. Along with Mick Herron, Charles Cumming and Olen Steinhauer, Chris is the best that the espionage genre has going right now. And Don Winslow; just an absolute master of his craft - City on Fire is the first in a trilogy up there with Mario Puzo's 'The Godfather.'
What’s next on the agenda for you?
Matt Latham #2, Best Left Buried, is on track for a July 2025 release from Echo Publishing. Incidentally, the same week that Shadow Lives was released I received the first round of copyedits for Best Left Buried. As they say, no rest for the wicked. And if you thought 'Shadow Lives' was a thrill ride ...
Echo Publishing