Author J.D. Pearson with the moving story of a writing journey that has now culminated in the publication of his novel, Murder in Mind . . .
In 2018, I decided to write a story I had in my head. This particular year was quite difficult, as my grandmother had become very ill. She was 92, and up to this point she was going along quite healthy.
I was raised by my grandparents because my mum suffered Multiple Sclerosis, and was unable to raise me. She sadly passed away in May 1989 one month before my 18th birthday. She lives in my heart to this day. She suffered from epilepsy and when she was pregnant with me, she had to take medication for her epilepsy which had an effect, and so I was born with four fingernails and no toenails. I never knew my father very well, he left when I was a toddler. I had a stepdad and he passed in 1996 from lung cancer.
A Happy Home
I had a good and happy up bringing at home, my grandparents owned a tourer caravan and we went on lots of holidays, and they spoilt me.
The one place that wasn’t good was school. My school years were very unhappy. From my first year at senior school, which was an all-boys school, I was picked on over not having fingernails and called nasty names, and because I was very sensitive – as I am to this day – it really bothered me. I would go somewhere on my own and just cry, sometimes I couldn’t sleep because I didn’t want to go to school the next day. How often I wanted to run away from home, but I couldn’t put my grandparents through that worry.
I also struggled at school in the lessons; some teachers were supportive and tried to help but a couple of teachers I felt didn’t like me because I struggled in their class. I did try hard, but I just couldn’t get my head around the work, and I have always suffered with a lack of self-confidence.
A bit of a loner
I did have friends growing up, but all in all, I was a bit of a loner. My friends use to joke that I would hibernate in the winter months. I would go out on my bike, and go swimming and stuff, but I did like to be indoors, especially in the winter months and cozy up in front of the tv. The one thing I like to do is watch films, I loved a good story though I didn’t read books much until I was in my 30s.
I remember almost every weekend I use to go to my local blockbuster video store and hire out films for Saturday and Sunday. When I was in my early teens my mates came to my house for the day, when my grandparents were at work, and I hired horror films from the video store. I looked old for my age and I was able to get 18 rated films without question or I.D.
J.D. Pearson: my working life
I left school at the age of sixteen with no qualifications as I failed all my exams. I went to college for a few months, but didn’t get on well there, then in February 1988 I got a job at GEC Henly as it was called back then. The company has since been taken over and I don’t know what they are called now. My grandmother worked there for 25 years which may have helped me getting the job. They make moulded products for electric cables. I was a line operator, lifting boxes of sand, resin and other liquid onto pallets.
Then about six years later I operated a moulding machine as well as doing other jobs in the company. I got made redundant in 2010 after nearly 22 years. I didn’t mind as I wanted a fresh start and went on to do various cleaning jobs. I currently clean for Brands racing circuit – combining my job with a love of F1 – and I clean in a fruit factory for Minter Cleaning.
In October 2006 I was admitted to hospital with heart failure. In the months leading up to it I very shortage of breath and a chest Xray found I had an enlarged heart. I was in hospital for two weeks, put on medication which I still have to take.
Murder in Mind
Then in 2018 I started writing Murder in Mind. It’s about a woman who suffers from mental health issues and gets bullied by her neighbours. She get’s revenge by using hypnoses. My inspiration was a friend who didn’t get on with her neighbours. The story came into my head and I kept thinking about it, and wondered if I could write a novel. By this stage I was an avid reader and had read hundreds of crime novels but didn’t take myself seriously as I didn’t consider I had the required skills.
However, I did do some research and many famous authors say you didn’t have to be qualified to write a book. So I kept at it – on and off- leaving it for long periods of time then getting back into the writing. It was a difficult time when my grandmother passed away. Although I did have the support of my son, now 22, along with his mum (though divorced we are still good friends). I finally finished Murder in Mind two years ago and was encouraged to get it published. I got it edited and published by Rowanvale books, and I’m very proud of the finished product and I hope you enjoy reading it as much I enjoyed writing it.
(c) J.D. Pearson
About Murder in Mind by J.D. Pearson:
When Gina Wilkinson’s neighbour Annie falls to her death from her bedroom window shortly after an argument, the police suspect Gina of killing her. But Gina pleads her innocence; she can’t remember a thing. The local gossips seem to have other ideas, though—and when her most treasured possession is taken from her, Gina is determined to find out the truth about what’s going on.
As more of her neighbours meet violent ends and even her best friend turns against her, it seems clear that Gina is somehow at the centre of things. But how could she have killed them, if she wasn’t there?
Murder in Mind is an intriguing psychological thriller that examines the space between guilt and innocence and will resonate with fans of Freida McFadden and Alice Hunter.
Order your copy of Murder in Mind by J.D. Pearson online here.
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