I met Hill at last month's Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, and got to chat to him a bit, which was great (see image below). One of the fantastic things about such festivals is getting exposed to new authors, or authors you hadn't heard of before. Hill appeared as part of a 'crime in translation' panel chaired by Barry Forshaw on the Sunday morning, alongside Swedes Liza Marklund and Camilla Lackberg, and South African Deon Meyer, and it was great to see so many people in the signing line afterwards with a copy of THE SUMMER OF DEAD TOYS (Hill's debut, now translated into English), keen to give a newer author a go.
Hill works as a translator himself, translating books into Spanish. A psychology graduate, born in Barcelona, he has also worked in publishing as an Assistant Editor. THE SUMMER OF DEAD TOYS, set in contemporary Barcelona, introduces Inspector Hector Salgado, an intriguing detective with a complicated past and violent tendencies. It became something of an instant hit last year, selling more than 80,000 copies in its first two weeks, and has since been picked up for publication in more than fifteen countries. Hill's second crime novel, which sees the return of Hector Salgado, LOS BUENOS SUICIDAS, will also be translated into English, which is great news. But for now, Hill stares down the barrel of 9mm.
Who is your favourite recurring crime fiction hero/detective?
I like many of them, from Hercules Poirot to Lew Archer, but also like very much crime novels without a guy in charge of the investigation.
What was the very first book you remember reading and really loving, and why?
That's easy. I had read many books as a boy, but during teenage I stopped reading. I got a bit bored with the stories I was supposed to read at 15/16 and (I guess) there were other things in life that looked more appealing than reading in my room. But, suddenly, I got a copy of John Irving's The World According to Garp, and I was so fascinated by the story and characters than I started reading again.
Before your debut crime novel, what else had you written (if anything) unpublished manuscripts, short stories, articles?
I wrote a few short stories. Some have been lost over time when I changed my computer (and it's probably a good thing :-)
Outside of writing, and touring and promotional commitments, what do you really like to do, leisure and activity-wise?
Many things. I like going to the gym, I love travelling, going to the beach. I'm a big fan of tv series and movies. I try to keep busy. I keep going out at night, though less than I did years ago (old age coming!)
What is one thing that visitors to your hometown should do, that isn't in the tourist brochures, or perhaps they wouldn’t initially consider?
Barcelona is a very touristic city and it's difficult to find spots that are not included in guides, but I would take them to Tibidabo (not the park, the area) and have a good drink in one of the bars with impressive and quiet views of the city.
If your life was a movie, which actor could you see playing you?
That's difficult. I'd love to say Brad Pitt but I'm afraid I'm more Al Pacino style. Let's say Edward Norton.
I have only two books published and like them for different reasons. The Summer of Dead Toys has given me more than any other work project in life, and the second one "The good self-murderers" has also been extremely well received by reviewers. It's given me the respect of those reviewers that thought that The Summer could be a one book success.
What was your initial reaction, and how did you celebrate, when you were first accepted for publication? Or when you first saw your debut story in book form on a bookseller’s shelf?
I was a bit overwhelmed (the first edition was of 65.000 copies and the bookshelves were invaded by the novel). Honestly I got a bit afraid and went back home, thinking it was too much. Then, when it began to sell well, I of course celebrated it with my people.
What is the strangest or most unusual experience you have had at a book signing, author event, or literary festival?
Haven't had many unusual experiences by now. Perhaps the most unusual was a lady, with a chinese adopted daughter, who came to the place where I was signing and bought the book. She asked me to dedicate it, and when I asked her name, she said: Gloria, who is a character of the novel who has an adopted chinese daughter... She had not read the book yet and she could not understand why I was surprised!
Thank you Antonio Hill. We appreciate you taking the time to speak with Crime Watch
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Read more about Antonio Hill and his books:
- Interview with Dutch publication Metro Nieuws;
- Jose Escribano of The Game's Afoot reviews "The Good Self-Murderers";
- Barry Forshaw's review of THE SUMMER OF DEAD TOYS in The Independent;
- Lynn Harvey's review of TSODT for EuroCrime;
- Jose Escribano's review of TSODT at The Game's Afoot;
- Laura Wilson's review of TSODT in The Guardian;
Have you read THE SUMMER OF DEAD TOYS? Did you meet Antonio Hill at Harrogate? Do you enjoy translated crime fiction? Have you ever been to Barcelona? Thoughts, comments, and stories all welcome.
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