A Conversation with Richard Foreman

We are delighted to welcome Richard Foreman to Omnimystery News today.

Richard is the author of five (to date) stories featuring the classic character Arthur J. Raffles, a gentleman thief created in the 1890s by E. W. Hornung. The first three of these stories have recently been collected into the single volume Raffles: Omnibus (Endeavour Press, March 2012 ebook editions) … but are also available individually.

We recently had a chance to talk to Richard about recreating the character of Raffles.

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Omnimystery News: Why did you choose to write about Raffles as opposed to creating a new character?

Richard Foreman: Thankfully with an established character like Raffles, I can save time on exposition — and devote that time to giving the character an added depth, which I am conscious of trying to add to with each book. Raffles is the kind of character that no matter how many pieces of the jig-saw you might have, you'll never see the whole picture. I try to come up with plot developments and situations where Raffles and Bunny can still surprise me — and hopefully also the reader. The books can be read individually as self-contained episodes, though to get the most out of them I would recommend that they be read in order.

OMN: We've read the first of your new series and found it to be very character-driven. It also seems to tend more towards "crime caper" than "crime novel". Would you agree?

RF: I'm not too conscious of writing in the realm of one genre, but if pressed, I would say that the Raffles series is akin to the classic detective fiction of Sherlock Holmes, albeit Raffles of course operates on the opposite side of the law. I would hope though that Raffles straddles a few genres — a review described the book as a "mash-up" (I had to look the term up) — as opposed to falling in between two stalls.

OMN: We all probably have a little bit of a rogue in us … or at least would like to think so. Do you identify with Raffles in any way?

RF: A couple of people have said that I am like Raffles, and a couple have said that I am like Bunny. In terms of the dry sense of humour, old-fashionedness and the constant drinking that runs through the books, I'd be lying if I said that I was wholly absent from them. In terms of writing what I know, I was familiar with the period and golden age of cricket before starting, but the fun comes from learning new stuff and applying that.

OMN: Do you approach writing short-form fiction different than you would, say, a novel?

RF: Because the Raffles books are novellas, as opposed to full-length novels, I fortunately don't have to plan too much before wading in and writing a new story. The keystone is setting up the reveal/twist. Once I've got that set, everything else falls into place. But I try not to over-prepare. Man plans, God laughs.

OMN: Unlike the current trend of inserting historical fictional characters into contemporary settings, you chose to retain the time period of the original Raffles stories. How do you go about fact-checking the details?

RF: I'm fortunate enough to know a number of first-rate historians and historical novelists through my day job as a publicist, so I have help in some ways should I need it. I like to read one or two relevant books before or whilst writing a Raffles story, but in terms of what I need, Wikipedia knows where all the bodies are buried in regards to facts. I’m conscious of checking facts — and including some historical research — but not to the point where I might handicap the story. My brief as a novelist allows me to make things up.

I'm looking forward to writing a number of Raffles stories set around cricket matches and will duly spend some quality time at Lords and the Oval this summer to do so.

OMN: Back in 1977 Anthony Valentine played Raffles in a television series with plots based on the original stories. Do you think his portrayal was an accurate reflection of the character as you see him?

RF: I bought the box set of the Raffles TV series after I finished writing the second story, "Raffles: Bowled Over". Anthony Valentine plays the character with aplomb. He never cheapens Raffles, or plays him too camply or too darkly. His phrasing is excellent and I often find that when writing dialogue, I hear his voice in my head. Strangely though, I do not envision him when I idly think about who would play my Raffles. More so I think of Jeremy Northam.

OMN: Just one more question. What kinds of books do you enjoy reading for pleasure?

RF: In terms of fiction, I used to read the latest Flashman adventure within a week of publication. The same currently goes for reading Christopher Fowler's Bryant & May mysteries and Stephen Saylor's Gordianus the Finder books. In many ways I prefer reading non-fiction though, history in particular. It's a red-letter day when the latest books by Max Hastings, Andrew Roberts, Adam Zamoyski and Saul David are published. Raffles would enjoy the company of any of the above authors — and admire their libraries — I warrant.

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Richard Foreman runs Chalke, a freelance publicity and consultancy agency for authors. Richard is also the co-founder of Endeavour Press, the UK’s leading digital publisher. Richard is also the author of the historical novel A Hero of Our Time. He lives in London.

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About Raffles: Omnibus:

For the first time, all three of Richard Foreman's brilliant recreations of the classic Raffles stories are collected together in a single volume. This volume of three novellas will appeal to readers of the original Raffles stories, devotees of Sherlock Holmes, traditional detective stories, and fans of historical and cricketing fiction. The Omnibus includes:

Raffles: The Gentlemen Thief — Book One

Raffles, the famous cricketer and amateur cracksman, is back in an original adventure. Harry "Bunny" Manders, Raffles' biographer and accomplice, recounts the tale of the time they broke into the bookshop, Hatchard's of Piccadilly. Their mission? To steal a letter, formally owned by one Rene d'Aramis, which if published could compromise a prominent member of the government.

Yet, even more intriguing than their employment is their employer — a certain Mr Sherlock Holmes of 221b Baker Street. How will the master criminal fare against the legendary detective?

Raffles: Bowled Over — Book Two

Raffles decides to undertake a job close to home, at the Albany. His new neighbour is Rupert Robert Fuller, a powerful — and odious — financier. In order to distract Fuller, whilst he breaks into the banker's opulent apartment, Raffles calls upon his friend — the cricketing legend C.B. Fry.

Yet how much is Raffles being distracted himself Mary Flanagan, Fuller's beautiful and enigmatic maid? Has someone finally stolen the gentleman thief's heart?

Raffles: A Perfect Wicket — Book Three

Bunny is worried for his great friend. Since the disappearance of Mary Flanagan (the events of which are contained in the story Raffles: Bowled Over) Raffles has grown despondent, sick with boredom.

Thankfully a remedy is found, in the form of an invite to a party. The host is Lord Rosebery no less. Raffles considers the opportunity to be "a perfect wicket" in terms of the spoils to be had, and hatches a plan to rob the former Prime Minister.

Yet Lord Rosebery has also invited another guest up from London, a senior policeman, who confesses to Bunny that he has been tipped off that a notorious burglar will be attempting to rob the house over the weekend of the party.

Also available: Raffles: Caught Out — Book Four and Raffles: Stumped — Book Five.