Here at Joanie, we’re always on the hunt for something new to read, which is why we were so excited to have the opportunity to interview Sunday Times bestselling author Clare Mackintosh, author of Hostage.

Set over 20 hours onboard the first nonstop flight from London to Sydney, Hostage is a claustrophobic, psychological thriller full of unexpected twists and turns. Read on for our interview with Clare, where we discover more about the inspiration behind her newest release, and get her top tips for aspiring writers!

Hi Clare! For those who might not know you, would you like to tell us a little about yourself and what you do?

In 2015, and after twelve years in the police force, I took a career break to focus on my family and during this time I wrote my first novel I Let You Go. The book was an instant bestseller, remaining in the Sunday Times top ten for twelve weeks, and translated into over 40 languages.  I haven’t looked back and have subsequently released a further 4 novels; I See You, Let Me Lie, After The End and Hostage. My books have sold more than two million copies worldwide, which surprises me every single day. I live in Wales with my husband and our three teenagers.

Your new book, Hostage has just launched – what’s the book about?

It’s a locked room thriller set on a long haul flight from London to Sydney. We meet flight attendant Mina who receives an anonymous note from a passenger on board the plane, forcing her to choose between her own family, and the safety of the people on board.

What inspired you to write the book?

It’s an idea that I’ve had in my head for some time – I keep a notebook in which I jot down ideas for stories and this one- ‘plane-based thriller: save the child or save the plane?’ has been in there for a few years.

I travel on planes a lot (during non covid times of course) and I’m a big people watcher. Airports are fantastic places to watch people and make up little life stories for them; where are they going? What is the reason they are travelling? Is the person sitting next to them their secret affair?! I also love watching the cabin crew and thinking about their private lives; who they are beyond the passenger friendly face that always has to be in performance mode; what they are chatting about when they escape behind their ‘backstage’ curtain; how they would respond if an emergency situation presented itself mid-flight.

It was on a long haul flight I took in 2019 from UK to San Francisco that the story finally fell into place for me and upon landing I was able to send a synopsis to my editor. I wrote the first draft that autumn.

Who is the book aimed at and what’s the key message in the story?

The book is aimed at anyone who would like to read it. Lovers of thrillers, readers who love being on the edge of their seat and anyone who enjoys a really good story. I’m a big believer that regardless of genre, any reader can enjoy a well-told story.

Themes of family, trust, loyalty, relationships and bravery run throughout the book but it also explores radicalisation and the effect of air travel on climate change.

Have you got any tips for aspiring writers looking to start their own book?

My first advice would be to read…read everything, and then read a bit more. Practise writing in short bursts; write about anything and everything to help unlock that creative part of your brain. Read books that you love and try to work out why you love them. Try not to get stuck on a sentence - just get the story down and come back to it later or jump to a later chapter if you feel that bit is ready to come out. I find finishing a writing session halfway through a scene or a sentence means you can really dive back into it next time – really helps to avoid the blank page fear!

Outside of your work, what else is keeping you busy at the moment?

Well, I have three teenage children, three dogs, a brood of hens and a goat called Pete so it’s safe to say they keep me pretty busy- I’m not sure which of these keeps me the busiest actually! When I’m not collecting eggs or walking goats, I love to read- I’m currently averaging about 80 books a year and my TBR pile is still enormous!  I am also a keen open water swimmer – a hobby I took up since moving to Wales and still love even in the spine-chillingly colds of winter…it’s bracing but beautiful. Oh and I’ve been learning the language – something which has taken me far longer than it has taken my children!

Do you have an all-time favourite book or one which particularly inspired you growing up?

My favourite book is Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. It’s one of the first psychological thrillers that I read and the first book that really got me hooked on that genre. I just think it’s brilliantly written and I can read it again and again.

What’s next for Clare Mackintosh?

My sixth novel The Last Party is due out in August and right now I am on a tour of Welsh bookshops delivering a taster first chapter to get readers excited about its launch. It’s a murder mystery set on the border between England and Wales and is to be the first in a series of crime novels introducing the character of DC Ffion Morgan. I’m so excited to introduce her to my readers and for them to get to know her.  

Finally, what are your top five Joanie pieces you’re currently coveting?

Gosh, that’s a tricky one – I love them all! But I think the first five pieces into my shopping basket would be the…. Bleecker Stretch Denim Dungarees, the Arianna EcoVero Monstera Leaf Print Jumpsuit, the Greenwich Cord Shirt Dress, the Joele Yellow Taxi Intarsia Jumper and the Lydia Pride & Prejudice Sweatshirt. But then there’s also the Verdon Broadway Jumper and the— 

Can’t I just buy it all? 

We hope you enjoyed our interview with Clare Mackintosh! We're running a competition on our Instagram to win a copy of Hostage and a £50 Joanie voucher, so follow us here to find out how to enter. Hurry, entries close on the 18th of April 2022!

Hostage is published by Sphere and is available for purchase now. Click here to pre-order the first instalment of Clare’s upcoming series of crime novels, The Last Party, also published by Sphere.