Chris Ewan is the critically acclaimed and bestselling author of The Good Thief's Guide to… series and several successful thrillers. His latest, Long Time Lost (available February 7, 2017), is a fast-paced standalone thriller that features a protagonist who specializes in the unique and highly illegal service of relocating at-risk individuals across Europe with new identities and new lives.
Read this exclusive Q&A with Chris Ewan about his latest novel, what he's currently reading, and whether we might see a return of the good thief Charlie Howard—make sure to sign in and comment at the bottom for a chance to win a copy of Long Time Lost!
What do you want readers to think or feel after finishing this book?
We’ve all experienced the sensation of being followed. We’ve all walked down a dark alley or a quiet street and felt that unsettling prickle of vulnerability. I hope in Long Time Lost that sensation is made real for the reader, but I also hope readers will really come to care for Nick and Kate and be with them every step of the way as the forces that are following them begin to crowd in.
What would be your murder weapon of choice?
A high-end hitman. Keep it professional. Keep my hands clean.
What are you currently reading?
I’ve just been rereading Raymond Chandler’s The Long Goodbye. I usually go back to at least one Chandler a year, and The Long Goodbye happens to be my favorite. I’ve also been reading Eva Dolan’s Watch Her Disappear, which is as beautifully crafted, sensitive, and informed as all Dolan’s work, and I’ll shortly be starting in on Fierce Kingdom by Gin Phillips.
What television show are you currently binging?
The West Wing. It’s nice to dream about a Bartlett presidency, but in coming back to the show it’s been a real pleasure to delight in all those great episodes I remember (“Two Cathedrals”!) and rediscover the many I’d forgotten.
Describe Long Time Lost in 5 words.
A thrilling chase around Europe.
What crime and mystery writers did you grow up reading?
I was a huge fan of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five and Secret Seven books, and one title that will always stick with me is Ian Serraillier’s The Silver Sword (which, thinking about it now, could be the first thriller I ever read). After that, it was on to Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes, and from there to Agatha Christie. I have my local library to thank for most of those.
Who is your favorite fictional crime-solving sleuth?
Just one? Really? Recently, I’ve been reading a bunch of Michael Connelly’s novels, so Harry Bosch would have to rate highly. For the best of the unconventional PIs, I’m a big fan of Sara Gran’s Claire DeWitt. But if you forced me to pick only one, it would have to be Philip Marlowe.
Long Time Lost deals with a protagonist, Nick Miller, who specializes in the highly illegal art of relocating at-risk individuals. Your mystery series features a professional (and admittedly lovable) thief. What is it that draws you to writing about characters who can't follow the rules?
It’s so much more interesting to break the rules than follow them, isn’t it? (Or, better still, to make up your own rules.) It seems to me you only get to really know a character when you test and stretch them, and there’s no better way of doing that than by taking a character like Nick Miller, who lives in the shadows and does the wrong thing by choice, and seeing how he reacts in a situation that forces him to be noble. In the case of Nick, he puts everything on the line to protect his clients, and it ultimately jeopardizes the one thing he values more than anything else.
Do you think we'll be seeing any more of Charlie Howard? Perhaps it's time the good thief made his way to the states again…
Ah, I hope so. I’m always keen to get back to Charlie and take him out of Berlin and on to his next adventure. He just about survived Vegas, so I’m sure he’d relish another stateside adventure. Plus, you guys have so much good stuff to steal!
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Long Time Lost Comment Sweepstakes: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of 50 United States, D.C., and Canada (excluding Quebec), who are 18 years or older as of the date of entry. To enter, complete the “Post a Comment” entry at https://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2017/02/qa-with-chris-ewan-author-of-long-time-lost-comment-sweepstakes beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) February 2, 2017. Sweepstakes ends 1:59 p.m. ET February 16, 2017. Void outside the United States and Canada and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules here. Sponsor: Macmillan, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010.
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Chris Ewan is the author of the standalone thrillers Dark Tides, Dead Line, and Safe House, which was named by The Telegraph as one of the top ten crime novels to take on vacation, and the Good Thief mystery series. The first in the series, The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam, was named one of the “best books for grownups” by Publishers Weekly and AARP The Magazine, and one of the best thrillers of the year by the London Times.
I love Thoma Perry’s Jane Whitefield mysteries – LONG TIME LOST
sounds like a book I would enjoy.
Added to my TBR list.
My favorite Enid Blyton book was “The Famous Five Hire a Hit Man.” They say it inspired Graham Green’s writing!
I remember The Famous Five, though I only watched the tv series and didn’t even know there were books, when I was a kid. I grew up with The Hardy Boys, The Three Investigators, and Encyclopedia Brown.
how interesting
Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle were my favorites, too. Wish me luck!
Sounds like a good read.
Sounds like a good read.
Could be interesting
Books based in Europe are always more interesting.
Sounds like I would enjoy it.
Sounds like an intriguing book.
Looks like it will be a great read!
Sounds like a book do would like.
This book is right up my alley.
Oh my, this is definitely my kind of book, I have my fingers crossed and thanks so much for the giveaway 🙂
Sounds brilliant, I’d love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance.
Looks great! Would love to win.
Always looking for new authors to add to my reading list. Your book seems like an interesting read.
Wonder whether the good bad guy wins in the end.
It’s a great premise!
Putting it on my “to read” list.
Hope “Long Time Lost” is a heart stopper that I can’t bear to put down!
Great Q & A.
Yes, please enter me in this sweepstakes.
Thanks!
Looks like a great book to add to my TBR pile.
Looks like a great book to add to my TBR pile.
Captivating and intriguing. Thanks.
This looks like a good book to read. I like all kinds of books and this one looks like it is right up my alley.
This looks like a good book to read. I like all kinds of books and this one looks like it is right up my alley.
I like the hero of this story and am anxious to read it..
Great! Another mystery writer I’ve not read. Love it!
I really wanna read this book!
Relocating people in trouble sounds like a noble venture for a slightly shady character. I’d like to find what his motivation is. Plus, running around Europe is always fun.
The excerpt from this novel was superb. It was well written with an interesting storyline and realistic characters. I can hardly wait to read this book and find out what happens to Kate and Nick, now that I have been introduced to them. I am also anxious to read other novels by Chris Ewan since I have never had the pleasure of reading his work before.
Good to know that he is a fan of the inspirational Sherlock Holmes! Can’t wait to read the new one.
sounds like a fun one
I would love to read the book.
Looks like a very good read!
I love thrillers, and this one sounds perfect!
Oh man, count me in this giveaway This books sounds suspenseful.
Fascinating topic!
Would love to read a book with a chase around Europe
I’m looking forward to reading this.
I know I would enjoy reading your book. It is the kind I like to spend my time with.
Is what Nick Miller is doing by relocating at-risk individuals across Europe the same as our Witness Protection Program?
I would like to read some mysteries by this author who is new to me.
It’s great to hear of a stand-alone thriller. So many seem to be part of a series and there’s not enough time in this life to get caught up on a series. Thanks
It’s great to hear of a stand-alone thriller. So many seem to be part of a series and there’s not enough time in this life to get caught up on a series. Thanks
I’m ready for a new author. Hope I win. Thanks for the sweepstakes.
I’m ready for a new author. Hope I win. Thanks for the sweepstakes.
Count me in, please!
Want to win. 🙂
I would LOVE to read this book!!!!
Love to read!
Love to read!
“A thrilling chase around Europe”…sounds interesting! I’d like to read this one.
Thanks for generously offering this book.
This looks good. Can’t wait to read it.
As I’ve seen several Movies about “witness protection” in U.S., Chris Ewan’s “Long Time Lost” would be a European “twist” to that plot.
Need to find some new authors to read. This sounds like a good starting point.
I’ve enjoyed all of Chris Ewan’s books. I look forward to his new one!
SAFE HOUSE is the book that draws me to this author. So I’m glad to read this interview, especially the questions about what he is reading and likes to read, and what he is watching. I think answers to those questions can tell you a lot about the person.
SAFE HOUSE is the book that draws me to this author. So I’m glad to read
this interview, especially the questions about what he is reading and
likes to read, and what he is watching. I think answers to those
questions can tell you a lot about the person.
Nice interview!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Would love to win.
This would be great, thanks.
A high risk Thriller, right up my alley, this will be a great read.
Love to read this!
Find me! Yes!
This book sounds interesting and I would love to read it.
Bring it on! Looks good!
Relocate me!
Sounds really interesting, I would love to read this.
Thanks for the giveaway!
This looks like it could be an interesting book!
Want!
AWESOME!!
LONG TIME LOST. Send it.
sounds good
sounds great sign me up
I’m in!!
Looks like a good one!!
Looks like a good one!!
This sounds like an interesting book. And btw… I remember getting hooked on Enid Blyton’s Famous Five as a kid as well.
I’ve loved every book so far by this author. This one sounds great!!!
this sounds great.
looks interesting, always looking for a new read for the merto into work
I’d love to check this out 🙂
Thanks
I just bought ‘Safe House’ for my Kindle (a friend told me to) and then here is Chis Ewan. Coincidence? I think not. It must be my fate to win his new book.
Thanks for the Q&A and sweepstakes! Would love the opportunity to read this one.
thanks for the chance to win
Thanks so much for the chance 🙂
I would like this
I would like to read the work of Chris Ewan.
This would look like a great Read , I love Mysterys !!!
OH, would LOVE to read this!!~
It was an interesting interview. The book sounds great. Thanks.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
I love Chris Ewan! Pick me please! I am excited to read this book
I would definitely read this one!
sounds interesting!!
Would love to read it!
would love to read this, thanks for the chance
would love to read this, thanks for the chance
Any comparison to High Goddess Agatha is a win in my books.