Writers on Reading: Chris Carter

http://www.chriscarterbooks.com/

There aren't many authors who can list jobs as varied as a Criminal Psychologist for a District attorney and a guitarist for a glam rock band on their CV, but Chris Carter has led a life as interesting as any character in one of his novels. Brazilian born but having spent a long time in America after studying Criminal Psychology and Psychology in Michigan, he has transferred this knowledge of the darker parts of the human mind to his newest career- a best-selling author of crime thrillers, with a new relocation- this time to London. Carter's books revolve around a special Detective Robert Hunter and his partner of the Los Angeles UVC (Ultra Violent Crimes unit), who specialise in hunting down serial killers- you can guarantee that the villains in each book are as nasty and hard to catch as any you've ever read, and Carter's dark style and tense pacing will draw you in to Hunters desperate search every time.  

What is the first book you remember reading?

I was born in Brazil, so the first book I remember reading is a book by a Brazilian author called João Carlos Marinho.  I think I was about ten or eleven years old.  The book was titled: O Genio do Crime, which translates to The Crime Genius.  By pure coincidence, the book was a crime thriller.

What effect does being an author have on you as a reader?

I would love to say that being an author has no effect on me as a reader, but that wouldn’t be true.  First, and I think that happens because I spend most of my days writing, and consequently reading, my attention span when I sit down to read a book is tiny.  I can only read for about twenty minutes before my eyes are too tired and I have to put the book down.

The other thing that I find myself doing when I’m reading other author’s novels, and I must stress that I do it involuntarily, is that unfortunately I tend to over analyse the plot, almost as if I were their editor.  When I catch myself doing it, I force myself not to, but unfortunately I always catch myself too late.

Are there any books you can read again and again?

No, I don’t think so.  There’s been a couple of books that I’ve read more than once – twice to be more precise – and though the second time was just as good as the first, I know I wouldn’t read them a third time.

Are there any genres that you wouldn’t choose to read?

I’m not a big fan of science fiction or westerns.

What is the current book on your nightstand/coffee table?

Right now I’m reading “The Whisperer” by Donato Carrisi.  It was actually a present from a reader fan.