Angela Dandy is the author of The Gypsy Killer which was published by Silverwood Books on 21 October 2021.

Angela kindly answered a few of my questions.

1. Tell us a little about The Gypsy Killer.

A family of Roma gypsies make camp on the outskirts of a village in Warwickshire. They are not welcome, however well they behave, however well they live their lives, however respectably they go about their business. Through the plot, the story explores how callously society treats this smallest of the UK’s ethnic groups. Whatever their background, everyone has a right to a fair hearing and respect, until and when, they lose that right by their own actions.

The Gypsy Killer is a story of family, hope, despair and obsession.

2. What inspired the book?

Up until five years I lived in a village not that far from Stratford-upon-Avon. It was a typical small village with a plethora of interesting residents. Some had lived there since time in memorial, others were newcomers to the village. A family of gypsies made camp on the outskirts of the village. I was curious about how they lived their lives, so I googled gypsies. I was horrified at reading the forums. Gypsies were all vermin and should be wiped out. I knew this could not be right. There is good and bad in all communities. Thus, The Gypsy Killer took seed.

3. Are you a plan, plan, plan writer or do you sit down and see where the words take you?

My novels are organic, not planned. I start off with an idea, create my characters, get under the skin of each of them and let them lead me through the story.

4. Having been through the publishing process a few times, is there anything about publishing a book that still surprises you?

That my published books are £13.99 on Amazon one day and £9.99, the correct RRP, the following day, or even sold below my own cost price. That my ebooks can be offered at £3.99 one day, £3.39 the next day and even £0.99 on the following day. That the delivery time can be one to two months one day, and the following day, if you’re a prime user, you can receive it in the post the following day. There is no rhyme nor reason, at least none that Amazon are likely to share with authors. It never cease to surprise me!

5. What do you do when you aren’t writing? What do you do to relax and get away from it all?

That’s a difficult one. Up until the last few months I was caring for my ninety-nine-year-old mother so what spare time I had was mostly taken up by my writing. When I wasn’t caring or writing (novels, plays or stories). I would take the top down on my classic sports car and go for a fast spin. The garden centre was often my chosen destination. I enjoy gardening and growing my own plants. Now that I have more time on my hands, I have joined a local drama group and I make sure to take every opportunity to visit the theatre. Living in Stratford-upon-Avon, who wouldn’t?

6. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life which book would it be?

A real desert island question! The Good Companions by J B Priestley.

7. I like to end my Q&As with the same question so here we go. During all the Q&As and interviews you’ve done what question have you not been asked that you wish had been asked – and what’s the answer?

Question: Where would you like to live when you are old?

Answer: Magnolia Court Retirement Home where the Silveries reside. Where else? You’ll find me in the bar enjoying my six o’clock cocktail with my dearest friends from The Silver Sting and The Silver Dollar. I love them all.

About the Book

When a fire destroys a gypsy caravan and kills LJ’s wife, Jess, all eyes turn to the residents of Bartonford, a picturesque village in Warwickshire. With property prices plummeting, the villagers will stop at nothing to see the back of the gypsies. But will they resort to murder?

Student Elizabeth Goodge is no lightweight when it comes to ferreting out information. What she discovers is shocking. The life of another gypsy hangs in the balance – one more in a long line of victims.

A story of family, hope, despair and obsession – no-one is safe while the gypsy killer roams free.