Sophie McKenzieSophie McKenzie @ Williamwood @ Williamwood

September 12September 12thth 2013 2013

Sophie McKenzieSophie McKenzieAuthor ofAuthor of Blood TiesBlood Ties, , Blood RansomBlood Ransom, , and and the hugely popular the hugely popular

Girl,Girl, MissingMissing series series

Sophie McKenzieSophie McKenzie is is coming to Williamwood coming to Williamwood to discuss her new thrillerto discuss her new thriller

Split SecondSplit Second

Split SecondSplit Second

LikeLike Blood TiesBlood Ties andand Blood RansomBlood Ransom, , the story is the story is narrated alternately by the two main characters, narrated alternately by the two main characters, Nat and Charlie. They meet following a terrorist Nat and Charlie. They meet following a terrorist bomb attack that has affected both their families, bomb attack that has affected both their families, and as they strive to find out who planted the and as they strive to find out who planted the bomb and why, their lives – and secrets – bomb and why, their lives – and secrets – become entangled and their loyalties tested to become entangled and their loyalties tested to the limit.the limit.

Charlie's life is torn apart by a terrorist bomb in a London market. Months later, she meets Nat, whose family has also been left devastated by the same explosion. But as Charlie gets closer to Nat she uncovers secrets and a whole cast of shady characters that lead her to believe Nat knows more about the attack than he is letting on. Split Second is a breathtaking thriller that shifts between the perspectives of its two main characters as their courage and their loyalties are tested to the limit.

Sophie McKenzie’s original thriller series began with her award-winning novel Girl, Missing, which is followed by Sister, Missing and, in September 2012, Missing Me. Based around teenager Lauren, and her best friend Jam, these dramatic thrillers explore themes of identity and family.

Blood Ties seriesBlood Ties series

An explosive thriller series featuring two teenagers who An explosive thriller series featuring two teenagers who uncover a human cloning project. Theo and Rachel are uncover a human cloning project. Theo and Rachel are thrown together in the first book, thrown together in the first book, Blood TiesBlood Ties, as Theo , as Theo begins searching for his estranged father. But as they begins searching for his estranged father. But as they begin to unravel the truth, they find themselves in the begin to unravel the truth, they find themselves in the middle of an unbelievable – and unbelievably dangerous middle of an unbelievable – and unbelievably dangerous – situation. – situation. In both books, the chapters are narrated alternately by In both books, the chapters are narrated alternately by Theo and Rachel, so we can really get inside their heads Theo and Rachel, so we can really get inside their heads and see from both sides how their incredible story – and and see from both sides how their incredible story – and relationship with each other – unfolds.relationship with each other – unfolds.

About SophieAbout Sophie

Sophie was born and brought up in Sophie was born and brought up in London, where she still lives with her London, where she still lives with her teenage son. teenage son. She has worked as a journalist and a She has worked as a journalist and a magazine editor, but fell in love with magazine editor, but fell in love with writing after being made redundant writing after being made redundant and enrolling in a creative writing course. and enrolling in a creative writing course.

She burst into the publishing world with She burst into the publishing world with Girl, MissingGirl, Missing her her debut novel (published 2006), which tallied up numerous debut novel (published 2006), which tallied up numerous award wins nationwide, including the Richard and Judy award wins nationwide, including the Richard and Judy Best Kids’ Books 2007 (12+ category), The Red House Best Kids’ Books 2007 (12+ category), The Red House Book Award and The Manchester Children’s Book Book Award and The Manchester Children’s Book AwardAward. .

Williamwood pupils last met Sophie Williamwood pupils last met Sophie McKenzie at Edinburgh Book McKenzie at Edinburgh Book Festival 2012Festival 2012

Sophie McKenzie Q and A Sophie McKenzie Q and A

What books did you read as a child?

I read a lot as a child – I loved exciting adventure stories (like theWillard Price series and books by Elizabeth Goudge and Joan Aiken) and stories with lots of relationship intrigue and an element of romance (like ANNE OF GREEN GABLES and LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE series). It’s no coincidence that these are the kinds of stories I try to write now!

What book would you take on a desert island and why?

It’s impossible to pick just one but, if I had to choose, I’d take JaneAusten’s complete works (yes, I know that’s a bit of a cheat!) because every time I go back to her novels, I always find something new.

Williamwood eventWilliamwood eventThe event will comprise a talk with readings and The event will comprise a talk with readings and Q&A. The session will be an entertaining, Q&A. The session will be an entertaining, informative and interactive insight into the life of informative and interactive insight into the life of a bestselling author, with lots of tips for budding a bestselling author, with lots of tips for budding readers and writers. readers and writers. The talk will focus on the latest book The talk will focus on the latest book – – Split Split SecondSecond, but it might also include information , but it might also include information and readings from some of Sophie’s earlier and readings from some of Sophie’s earlier titles. It will last between 45 minutes and one titles. It will last between 45 minutes and one hour, followed by a book signing. hour, followed by a book signing. Sophie is happy to sign copies of her books Sophie is happy to sign copies of her books purchased on the day or brought from home. purchased on the day or brought from home.

Sophie Mckenzie on youtubeSophie Mckenzie on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KcnTY3lDxA8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTzMPyhi66Q&feature=endscreen&NR=v=lTzMPyhi66Q&feature=endscreen&NR=11