Concrete Evidence

by Malcolm Rose

Two girls try to catch a killer responsible for a video-store murder.

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Believe it or not, until Easter 1996, I was a Lecturer in Chemistry at The Open University. I carried out research in analytical chemistry, particularly in the area of health, and I taught mainly organic chemistry. The teaching part of the job predominantly involved writing, with some radio, TV and video work. It also left very little time for fiction writing which I tackled mostly after midnight. Perhaps that is why some of my strongest scenes are set on dark nights! Anyway, I am now a full-time writer.

Many people think it odd and fascinating that a scientist should also be a novelist but I don’t find it strange. After all, scientists have to be creative and show perseverance to carry out research. They also write a lot; in particular, they produce textbooks and articles on their research. Anyone who is imaginative, can stick to a task, and knows how to construct a sentence has the credentials for writing a novel. On top of that, my chemical research was aimed at understanding a little better some aspects of human life. A novel also seeks to illuminate some aspects of human life. The aims are similar even if the tools are different.

I reckon novel writing is not so removed from chemistry as you might think. In one life, I mix chemicals, stew them for a while and observe the reaction. In the other, I mix characters, stir in a bit of conflict and, again, observe the outcome.

I began writing stories while I was carrying out research at York for my DPhil degree in chemistry. Writing became a means of escape from everyday life. While I was at York, my then girlfriend (now wife) read my efforts and commented that I ought to try and get something published. I had never thought of writing as anything other than a hobby. Besides, as I thought then, a budding chemist couldn’t possibly be any good at it! Anyway, I joined a writers’ club to find out how to submit a manuscript to a publisher and, to cut a long story short, found a publisher in William Collins for my first novel, Rift.

I am now over half a century old, married to Barbara and have one son (Colin) who is an architect. I read all of my stories aloud to Barbara and Colin and they help me with their comments.

Reviews

[Maddie Josoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about three siblings who work together to solve their mom's disappearance and murder. The case had been closed twice, but something still felt off to all of them. They band together to solve this mystery but must tackle interrogating everyone they know. The only thing is what they thought they knew about what their mom did is completely wrong.
I enjoyed the book and its mystery that kept changing with every page. It was complex and packed full of information. I think that the author could have tried to make it less confusing by adding the notes that the kids were writing, but overall the book had a good story line and has lots of detail. I loved Kelly and her knack for figuring out details and her humor with Evan. The characters had good personalities and they really shined through.
I would recommend this book to those 13 and up interested in mystery and murder on a small scale, those thoroughly interested in murder mystery might be overly disappointed.

[Beth Monk · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Matt Micucci · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really so much suspence. It's really nothing special to read.

[Sam J 8E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as scary as it seems...