Wednesday, March 04, 2009
DUBAI POLICE ACADEMY
I always ask my publishers or hosts wherever I travel in the world if they can arrange for me to meet police officers - I find it immensely helpful for my research for my Roy Grace novels to have as broad a picture of the world's police forces and their different problems in different countries and cultures.
So when I was invited to the inaugural Emirates Literary Festival I asked the organizers if they could arrange such a visit for me. They responded enthusiastically and told me they had arranged for me to speak to some officers and student recruits at the Dubai Police Academy.
Now, due to some failure by myself to fully read my brief, I duly arrived at the Police Academy for an 8am appointment on Sunday, expecting to sit in a meeting room with half a dozen people. You can imagine my surprise when I was greeted by the very charming Director of the Academy, Brigadier Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Bin-Fahad, in full dress uniform, who told me that they were "all" waiting for me.
I was then ushered by a Police Major into their lecture hall and greeted by 420 uniformed Police Cadets, who stood up and saluted me. The Major then directed me to a podium. I gulped somewhat nervously and asked him what he wanted me to say. He replied, "They are waiting for your lecture."
I then had to stand on the podium and deliver an off-the-cuff 45 minute lecture on the issues facing the police in the Western World (line by line, followed by a translation of each line) then another 30 minutes of Q & A! I have never felt more grateful, than at that moment, towards the Muslim laws forbidding the drinking of alcohol.
The previous night a large number of the authors present, including Kate Mosse, Louis De Bernieres, Brian Aldiss, Anthony Horowitz, Lesley Pearse and Victoria Hislop (accompanied by her husband, Ian) were left literally high and dry up a creek, when we discovered that our night time Dhow cruise up the Dubai Creek was totally alcohol free.
Thanks to that at least I had no hangover and a badly needed clear head!!!
posted by Peter James at 8:47 PM
19 comments
Comments:
Blast damm and *&(*^%%$£%
I wrote a long comment but its vanished. But then I am a retired geek that doesnt keep up with all the new techno things.
Anyway great books. Just started my third.
On line books will never be better than being curled up on a beach or bed with the real thing.
Ok now I will try and send again.
bye and thanks
typojm
Hello Mr. James (again and again),
I cannot imagine the, (unexpected!) surprise. I feel that you possess an enormous gift of spontaneity. I imagine the situation, and seeing the photos, "I" wish a glass of wine... at least, to be able to swallow the surprise and, maybe, lose inhibition.
Let's be sincere: the translation “line to line” must have helped to the mind advance the words.
You was not wrong when you commented to me that the episode which will amuse me!.
I cannot avoid imagine Roy Grace in such a situation, would be worse than confront the judgment for Suresh?.
Thank you for sharing this experience.
Best regards,
Mariel
Argentina
Dear Mr. James,
Off-topic... (despite it being an interesting one) I'm 3 quarters into the 4th Roy Grace novell. And I have to say, so far, I am not as taken by this book as I was with the 1st three. It's like the winning formula was changed and specially compared to the 3rd book there ar very little climaxes. I miss the many personal interactions that Roy had in the other novells with his employees and loved ones. Then again maybe its just me.... Btw, I'm not saying I do not find it a good book, just not as great as the others. Best wishes, Marcel
Hi Mariel, thanks for this!
Hi Marcel, thanks for your comment. I think all my readers have their own individual views about which of my Roy Grace novels they enjoy the most - although judging from the emails I get from them on balance I would say that Dead Man's Footsteps has been the most liked of all. It has a more complex plot and bigger cast of characters and wider geographical spread. I will be interested to see what you feel when you have finished it.
Best
Peter
I am absolutely terrible at making speeches or doing anything 'off the cuff'. That's why I always used to hate those job interviews that started "Tell me about a time you overcame a dilemma in the workplace" or other such fatuous questions.
Going slightly off-topic (or back onto it, as the case may be), I recently finished reading Dead Simple and thought it was excellent. I'm going to get my hands on the next three Roy Grace novels and work my way through those. I always enjoy discovering new authors and shall certainly be exploring your work much further :-)
Knowing your propensity for giving engaging speeches/talks, I'm sure you coped! Hopefully having every few lines translated helped you to plan 6 points ahead! Still, better you than me, Peter :)
Matt Williams
Gee Peter, I thought a few drinks before that event would have helped....although not appropriate :-). Just as well you are a master storyteller. I am sure the words just flowed, but how does the country exist without an alcoholic drink from time to time? Guess they are none the wiser.
Linda
xx
Hi Adam, thanks for your very kind words.
Matt, thank you!!!!
Linda, I discovered that quite a few of the locals do drink, in particular the more Westernized ones and some of he more sophisticated ones. That Saturday night on the Dhow was the only Festival function I attended that was "dry". At all the others we were able to buy a wide range of beers and wines and spirits. Phew! I think it was Dean Martin who said, "I feel sorry for people who don't drink, because when they wake up in the morning, that's as good as their day's going to get!"
Wow, as usual you just take on the challenge and get on with it, though whatelse can you do.Thank you once again for sharing with us another of your adventures.
Reading the comments made by Marcel. I really enjoyed Dead Mans Footsteps and my favorite was Not Dead Enough but I didnt like Looking Good Dead, although I read it and enjoyed doing so. Sounds weird I know but when you get hooked on something, you just can't help yourself. I just found the subject matter a bit scary and difficult to get my head round. It must be awful being a policeman, having to deal with things like that on a daily basis. At least reading the books you can be happy in the knowledge that it is not true, and only a story. Looking forward very much to Dead Tomorrow.
Jacqueline Twamley
Hi Peter
I keep meaning to ask you this question.
In one of your Roy Grace novels (ashamed to say I can't remember which), you refer to 'a cheesey Gene Pitney song playing on the radio'.
Is this your opinion or just written for the book?
Although I am a serious Pitney fan, I won't hold it against you as I like your books too much and I think Gene would be amused and honoured to have got a mention.
To make up for it, you must ensure that Gene is played in the TV series.
Keep up the good work.
Hi Alan
The reference is in "Not Dead Enough" and I've copied in the context below:
"Skunk switched off the engine, and with it the music fell silent. Instead some cheesy old Gene Pitney song crackled out from a cheap radio somewhere in the building. The Audi ticked and pinged, and smelled of burnt oil. A drill whined."
Skunk is a low-life villain - drug dealer and car thief, and the view of Gene Pitney is his, not mine!
I've long been a Pitney fan too!
Hope this clarifies for you. Maybe I should have Roy Grace playing one of his songs and enjoying it...!
All best
Peter
Hello Peter,
Marcel here again.. I finished the book. The end was definately more exciting. *Spoiler* The final sentence in de book is chilling (allthough it might just be your teasing sence of humor). The only thing that really bothered me in the book is that Abby left her mom alone while Ricky was on the loose knowing that Ricky knows where her mother was. Just not very believable after what she knew Ricky was capable of. Very much looking forward to Dead Tomorrow. I hope that we get a bit more of lovely Cleo in there. Any idea how fast it will be translated to Dutch?
Best wishes, Marcel
Hi Marcel
I'm really glad you enjoyed the book after your earlier reservations. Regarding Abby leaving her alone, she did not really have any alternative as she could not realistically take her with her - and she had the neighbour to help.
There is definitely more of the lovely Cleo in Dead Tomorrow. I know that my wonderful Dutch publishers are very enthusiastic and will try to get the book translated as quickly as possible, but I am sorry that I have no date yet I can give you.
All best
Hello Mr. James,
Here Im again.
Any idea if will be more translation to Spanish (one more al least!)?. Im in the last pages of Dead Simple...
Thank you.
All very best
Mariel
Argentina
Thanks Peter.....
Hilarious, I am still chuckling as I type this thank-you.
I came to this blog today as I have now long completed devouring your latest Roy Grace novel ..and like a waking vampire or a junkie, it seems I am Jonesing for my next fix.. as such I sought out your blog to at least get a pick me up dose to carry me through to that next addition in the series ..
Also you know I have that longing fear as to never knowing the true ending to the mystery of Roy's wife.. is that in the can yet ?
Ben
Kelowna,BC
Hi Ben
Thanks for this post and very honoured that you came to my blog for a fix!!!
Don't worry there will be a resolution to Sandy - I would never leave my readers high and dry, I promise! But on what happens next all I can say is that there is a development in the next, Dead
Tomorrow...
All very best and thanks so much for your support and enthusiasm.
Peter
Hi Peter,
Loved all the books so far theyve all been magic! started reading some of your older books now whilst I wait for the publication of Dead Tommorow and they are just as good!! I visited Brighton for the first time last weekend on a stag do and recognised a lot of places from the mentions they have had in your book! Ive read the books are going to be made into a tv series, great stuff, any idea when filming will begin and more importantly when will they be shown?
Keep Up the good work
Steve Booth
Hi Steve
Thanks so much for these really kind words.
The TV series is moving forward but slowly because of ITV's current financial woes. I will be posting all progress on my website as and when (www.peterjames.com) and no doubt will be Twittering about it too!
All very best and I hope you enjoy Dead Tomorrow!
Peter
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posted by Peter James at 8:47 PM
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