Book Signing with John Lawton

I met John Lawton this evening in Portland at a book signing event. Through his British accent both on paper and in speaking, he communicates passion for his writing. "I don't write murder mysteries," he rather forcefully told the intimate gathering, "I write straight novels in which crime is the driving force."

All of John Lawton's novels are about sex, crime, and politics. The chronological order of his series belies the fact that each was written as a stand alone book, and written in a random order. The latest of these, in hardcover, is A Lily of the Fields. Tonight he told us that he cares more about the main character's relationship with his girlfriend than he does about the crime.

Obviously, the creative process for John Lawton is typical of an artist. His highly controversial work speaks for itself. I took home a personalized, signed copy of Flesh Wounds after a marvelous evening.