The Crocodile Makes No Sound received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author N.L. Holmes.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The Crocodile Makes No Sound, published June 2, 2020.
What’s the book’s first line?
Already the third month of the summer season is upon us, Hani thought as he gazed about his garden.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Four years into Akhenaten’s new regime, the dissatisfaction of those who practiced the old religion of Amen-Ra is growing. Hani, a diplomat already under the king’s surveillance because of the disappearance of his firebrand Amen priest brother-in-law, gets drawn into an investigation for the Beloved Royal Wife, who is being blackmailed over an infidelity. Meanwhile, the new vassal king of A’amu, lodged at Hani’s house until the king grants him an audience, is showing himself to be none too loyal. Hani must walk the line between his oath to the king and his conscience.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
As a sequel to Bird in a Snare, I wanted a group of threads with more unity of time and place and something that would feature Hani’s family, showing the evolution of the youngsters in particular. Unlike Bird, very little of the plot in this book is historically based, except for the setting.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Both for pleasure, if you like character-driven cozy mysteries, and to bring to life an ancient world that was both beautiful and cruel. My mission, as teacher and novelist, has been to convince people of the humanity of people in the past—for good or ill.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
I would say Hani is above all compassionate, and then a man of conscience. I wish I knew someone like this! Maybe Inspector Gamache? But I can only aspire to be compared to Ms Penny.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
People of color. The Egyptians weren’t white.
When did you first decide to become an author?
Even as a child, I wrote “novels” for entertainment. But I only got serious when I retired from teaching. There was no time before that.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
No. The Empire at Twilight series was first, and in The Lord Hani Mysteries, this is number two.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I’m an archaeologist, who taught at the local university and excavated in Greece and Israel. But I’ve done many other things as well.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
Some days, my time is so taken up with doing publicity or other peripheral tasks that I’m lucky if I write at all. Other days, I can put in twelve or even fourteen hours at it.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part? Writing what pleases me and having control over issues like artwork and distribution. The worst part? Having to do all the publicity myself. That’s a whole other career.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Don’t give up. There are so many disappointments and winds that try to blow you off course. A bad review, slack sales, failure to win the Man Booker prize—you don’t need their affirmation. Just ignore them and keep doing it. As long as you write, you’re a writer.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Perhaps, if the deal were sweet enough. Part of me would be reluctant to loosen my control… but part of me would be delighted to turn some of the pr over to professionals.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Only the desire to make people understand that humans of the past were just like us, despite differences in worldview, technology, etc.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Hard choice! I love the nineteenth-century realists, French and Anglophone. Among modern writers, people like Strout, Erlich, Robinson, and among mystery writers specifically, Penny, Leon. There are so many wonderful writers out there!
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Germinal, which, in fact, was written by Zola. The most powerful book ever. I’ll never get those images out of my mind.