Weston-super-Mare author Brian Price to release fifth novel in his DC Mel Cotton series

Now based in Weston-super-Mare, Brian Price is a chemist and biologist by trade, working in environmental science as well as tutoring for the Open University.

He is also a longtime avid reader of crime fiction, though his own path to writing the genre was something of a surprise to him.

“My first crime book, Crime writing: How to write the science,” he recalls, “is a guide for writers on such matters as poisons, knockouts and DNA.

“I hadn’t thought of writing fiction but I entered a competition for the best first line of a novel. My entry, ‘The small, grey-haired woman grimaced as she entered the police station, pulling a shopping trolley containing her husband’s head’ won, and someone said they couldn’t wait to read the rest – so I felt obliged to write it!”

The result in 2021 was Fatal Trade (Hobeck Books), Price’s first novel in his ongoing DC Mel Cotton series, prefaced in the novella Fatal Beginnings and followed in quick succession by Fatal Hate (2022) and Fatal Dose (2023).

Now, he is releasing the fifth in the series, Fatal Image, with Waterstones in Clifton hosting a special launch event on November 29.

Brian Price, chemist, biologist and crime novelist – photo: courtesy of the author

In the run-up to the publication, Price spoke to Bristol24/7, touching on his journey as a writer, the regional crime-writing landscape, and how he relates to his protagonist.

What aspects of Fatal Image did you most enjoy plotting and writing as the novel began to take shape?

“I enjoyed plotting the murders – asking myself how the killer would carry them out, as well as how the police would realise that what looks like an accident was in fact murder. What precautions would he take and what clues could be left? What would the pathologist find? How would the police put everything together?

“I also loved writing the scenes where two young criminals have kidnapped a chemistry teacher to force her to make crystal meth – a chance for some humour and also an ingenious way for her to escape.”

For you, what are the characteristics of DC Mel Cotton that made you want to base a series around her?

“When I created Mel Cotton I wanted to move away from the cliché of the alcoholic middle-aged male who can’t get on with anyone. I also wanted to focus on a Detective Constable because it’s the DCs and the DS’s that do all the work – Chief Inspectors and Superintendents do not interview suspects or kick down doors!

“So Mel is a young woman who comes from a police family – her father is a retired DCI and her mother was killed on duty – and she feels she has a lot to live up to. She’s a bit impetuous – although not stupid – and is intelligent and brave. She also has a sense of humour. She has a promising career ahead of her but still has a lot to learn, which provides plenty of scope for future books.”

How does participating in the crime-writing community help your process or attitude to your work?

“I find the crime writing community tremendously friendly and supportive. I went along to my first Crimefest in Bristol some years ago, expecting to find the top authors almost on pedestals. Instead, they were all in the bar chatting to fans and fellow writers. It was that which made me set up a science advice website, which led to the first book.

“For a group of people for whom murder is a mainstay, crime writers are remarkably uncompetitive. I can ask advice from my peers and I advise others on science. I was made welcome from the start.”

The official book launch for Brian Price: Fatal Image is at Waterstones, Clifton on November 29 at 6.30pm. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.waterstones.com.

Find out more about the author at www.brianpriceauthor.co.uk.

All photos: Brian Price

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• Bristol novelist Emylia Hall moves into crime fiction with The Shell House Detectives
• Bristol crime writer Tim Sullivan on how his home city continues to shape his work