Most importantly to me, I’m a mum of 4 beautiful children. Workwise, I’ve studied serial killers (psychologically) since I was 7, odd, maybe, but the reasons ‘why’ never cease to interest me. That comes through in my writing, as do other issues. I’m not afraid to fight for the victim, I won’t, and I feel it’s very important to address the subjects other people are too afraid to tackle.

Muse: First of all, Whispers of the Muse welcomes you to the site. Tell us a little about yourself. What part of the world do you live in? Tell us about your background?
Ricki: Thank you! I’m a Brit, but was born as a forces baby in Germany. I live in the UK now, but have lived in Iran, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain etc, the world is never too big to see it all. Every experience you have can lead to a new book. Travelling, seeing reality around the world, that’s what matters.

Muse: Who are your favorite authors?
Ricki: I tend to read fact rather than fiction, so Colin Wilson, with his crime studies, is on my must do list. Books, rather than authors, have made a difference, and the two that stand out are Lionel Shriver with We Need to Talk About Kevin, and Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones, both beautifully created, poetic, and shocking

Muse: Why did you write a Psychological Thriller?
Ricki: It’s been my study for years. The human mind is an unknown expanse, will we ever really understand it? Killing people is always wrong, but sometimes you can affiliate with the killer, because they’ve dealt with so much shit. Sometimes humanity helps create madness. I, in my work, want to try and help people understand a little. Not just about killers, which Unlikely Killer is about, but about sexual abuse (Hope’s Vengeance) and domestic violence (Family or Foe)

Muse: What is your writing regimen? How often do you work on a book? Do you set daily time or word goals? What keeps you meeting your deadlines?
Ricki: No, no, no!!!! It all comes from the heart. If someone set a deadline, I’d meet it, but the best work is what you stash away and re-visit when the heart is ready. That can take years, but at least you’re true to yourself and others

Muse: Does the way you personally look at life reflect in your writing style?
Ricki: My life has sadly taken a backstep. I have four children that I cherish, but my husband left and now the partnership part is removed from my life. However, in that respect, it has meant that I have more time to work, and I just love writing so much, I very much hope that readers will continue to love my writing

Muse: What are the creative jumping off points for you? Are you inspired by dreams? Music? Nature? The occasional black nightmare? What triggers your imagination?
Ricki: It’s questions, to be honest! When I was an accountant I used to (this is probably embarrassing!) brush my teeth at night, listening to my neighbours argue, and wonder that if someone who had never had their DNA taken, would they ever be found if they killed someone. Don’t get me wrong, I have never had any kind of instinct to kill, but other people do, and that interests me. As do the police, who have kindly met me in my research for writing. I have to say, now, that I don’t believe the perfect murder can ever be committed, and I agree totally that we should all have our DNA taken at birth. That would halt most crime.

Muse: Tell us about Unlikely Killer. What was your inspiration?
Ricki: Well, as I said about DNA in the last statement, I was also reading about actual murders that have occurred. It spurred an idea, which can’t be mentioned because it would spoil enjoyment of the book … let’s just say that mental health problems affect most of us in one way or the other, and the killer in Unlikely Killer was suffering badly

Muse: What is your favorite scene from the book and why?
Ricki: When DI Krein stops on the roadside after ‘Alice’s’ copycat murder. He knows his whole life has fallen apart. I wish I could pick him up and hug him

Muse: Have you written other books?
Ricki: Hope’s Vengeance has already been published, I’ve written Family and Foe, Bonfire Night is right there in my head, but also there are two novels I need to re-visit

Muse: Tell us about your other books?
Ricki: Humour is wonderful, but my name is linked to psychological thrillers now, so I’d need a pen name! Maybe Thomas Ricki!!!!!

Muse: How do you feel about the current publishing marketplace?