60 Second Interview with author Marion Leigh

Marion´s novel idea becomes a reality With The Politician’s Daughter now on sale throughout Spain, Marbella-based Marion Leigh provides an insight to her first novel. Nicole Hallett reports.

What inspired you to write your first book’? At a party in Canada upon hearing of my idea of creating a series of books around a sort of female globetrotting Jane Bond, the hostess told me ‘You’ll do it.’ I owe her a huge debt.

Whenever I have a crisis of confidence, I remember those words.

What is the first book in the series and now on sale about? The Politician’s Daughter is a thriller featuring a marine sergeant who goes undercover to hunt for a missing girl.

Set in the Mediterranean aboard a mega-yacht, it explores the jet-set world of a ruthless but charismatic man and the heroine´s relationships with an array of characters.

The action moves from Monte Carlo to Mallorca, then the Costa del Sol and finally Morocco.

How did you come up with the heroine’s name? I was going to call the character Sandra Minx, but that is the name of a porn star, so changed it to Petra Minx with the surname providing a glimpse into part of her personality.

What did you want to be when you were 10? Born in Britain, I wanted to be an angel in the Christmas play and the shepherd boy’s girlfriend.

Other jobs? Teaching English to university professors in Indonesia and running my own financial translation company in Canada.

Future endeavours? More writing including the next in the Petra Minx series, plus a comic story.

Ideal dinner party guest? Antonio Banderas; I’d ask him to direct The Politician’s Daughter and play a leading part.

Favourite place? Paris, because it’s a wonderful city for lovers, food and walking, and I adore the language.

Scariest experience? Being out on a boat on a Canadian lake with four-metre waves threatening to capsize us with things shattering in the galley below.

Best thing about Spain? Amazing quality of light in winter.

Worst? Lack of planning at every level.

Always in fridge? Individual portions of foie gras and drinks for unexpected guests

‘The Politician’s Daughter’ book review.