Who is B.M. Carroll?
B.M. Carroll (aka Ber Carroll) is an Irish-Australian author of psychological thrillers. Ber is an ex Financial Controller, a recovering helicopter parent, a compulsive reader, and the author of twelve novels. Her latest novel, One of Us is Missing, is about a family of four who go to a stadium concert but at the end of the night one of the four has vanished. The idea sparked from a U2 concert which Ber and her family attended together. Ber lives in Sydney’s northern beaches with her husband and two children. She refreshes her accent with regular trips back to Ireland.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
More high-intensity exercise. I walk the dog everyday but PJ likes to stop and sniff every five seconds so neither of us are breaking a sweat.
Who inspires you and why?
Lisa Jewell. She writes a book a year, and they are all complicated, satisfying, original reads. Her work rate is phenomenal (maybe her dog doesn’t take as long to walk in the mornings and she has more time to write?)
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I am slightly biased, but I do think books make the world a better place. They provide purpose, comfort, inspiration, escape, empathy, insight, humour, entertainment, and companionship. I often meet people who say they don’t like reading and I take it as a personal challenge to find them ‘just the right book’. I like to help them on their reading journey, choosing books that they’ll enjoy and stick with.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Anywhere in France. My husband and I are hopeless Francophiles and our dream is to one day own a holiday home there. To that end, trips to France are often tagged onto our trips to Ireland. Our last trip covered Carcassonne and Montpelier and hopefully our next will be Bordeaux and La Rochelle. Episodes of Escape to the Chateau keep us going in between trips.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I often take visitors on a driving tour of the northern beaches, starting at Avalon or Palm Beach, and working our way down to Manly. Lunch at a beachside café, a walk along the headlands, an ocean swim, stunning scenery. They’re usually researching how to apply for a long-term visa by the end of the day.
What are you currently reading?
A Shadow at the Door by Jo Dixon. A woman who is down on her luck takes in two tenants in order to pay the bills. I am loving the Hobart setting, the pervading sense of menace, and how real these characters are.
What are you currently listening to?
A 2010s mix on Spotify with The Lumineers, Vance Joy, Mumford and Sons and Kodaline.
Happiness is?
Typing THE END on a new novel.
What does the future hold for you?
Hopefully, many more novels, interspersed with travel and new adventures.
B.M. Carroll is the Author of One of Us is Missing – which is published by Affirm Press and available from all leading book sellers. For more information, visit: www.affirmpress.com.au for details.
Image: B.M. Carroll – courtesy of Affirm Press