In this podcast, Erik D’Souza interviews David L. Tucker, a nominee for Best Crime First Novel, sponsored by Melodie Campbell, for his debut crime novel, A Painting to Die For (published by Otter & Osprey Press). David explains how he transitioned to writing crime fiction, inspired by a trip to London and observations about the art market, which led to the story's setting in London during Brexit in 2017. The novel follows Bill Fredrick, a struggling Toronto portrait painter who becomes involved in a dangerous situation when he travels to London to help his wealthy uncle with a family matter. Erik and David discuss the writing process, including how David incorporated sensory details into his narrative and how the book successfully engages readers through its slow-burning tension and atmospheric descriptions.
Bio
David L. Tucker has won numerous international awards as a writer, producer, and director of television documentaries, art specials, drama, and current affairs programming. Best known for his work on CBC’s The Nature of Things with David Suzuki, Tucker garnered a Gemini for Best Direction, a Gracie, a Chris, a Prix Italia, a Freddie, and presented work at Hot Docs. His previous collection of short stories, One Way Ticket, earned him an Oakville Arts Council Literary Award. With a graduate degree in interdisciplinary fine arts, Tucker has also taught media aesthetics, documentary and screenwriting and presented scholarly papers in Paris, Budapest, Berlin and in the States.