Date Published: 11-11-2025
Publisher: Epicenter Press
As the pressure mounts for a quick solution to the case, the detective finds that he too, is in the killer’s crosshairs. But Ryan is distracted from the investigation by a romantic encounter with an old university friend. He also worries about his mother, Mumta, and her new obsessive desire for grandchildren from her only son. Could this be linked to her recent medical tests? And there’s another pressing problem—the plague of rats in his apartment block.
Detective Ryan’s hands are well and truly full.
CF: I was born in London within the sound of Bow Bells, which makes me a true Cockney. I spent my childhood and early working years in England, then moved to Australia and later to the United States.
What genre do you read? Who's an author you read? Name your top 5 authors.
CF: I read books in the genre I write—mystery thrillers. My top five authors, in no particular order, are Lee Child, Lucy Foley, Harlan Coben, the late Patricia Highsmith, and Gillian Flynn.
What book are you reading right now, and what do you like about it?
CF: I’m reading The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley. She’s a remarkably talented writer, and, like her other novels, I haven’t yet figured out who the killer is. The book is set in central Paris, where I once lived, so the setting also brings a nostalgic feel.
Favorite sports.
CF: I’m not really a sporty person, but as a kid, I enjoyed competitive cycling, running, and swimming. These days, I swim and practice yoga, though I’m not sure if yoga counts as a sport. It’s definitely exercise. I’ve become more of a spectator than a participant, and I love watching tennis—especially Wimbledon, the Australian Open, and the French Open.
Favorite thing about your state/country you live in.
CF: I live between Miami and Sydney, so both cities have their attractions—the energy, the sunshine, the ocean.
How long have you been writing?
CF: I’ve been writing since I was a kid, gradually gaining more confidence in my ability.
What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?
CF: Writing can be tough, and I've tried different ways to make it easier. I started my newest novel without much planning or thought, hoping inspiration would come. It didn’t, so I regrouped and went back to my usual method --- doing lots of pre-research and plotting.
How did you come up with the ideas for your series?
CF: Lately, I've been spending more time in Sydney, Australia, especially in Kings Cross, an area full of ‘colorful characters.' It’s also a lively place with a diverse mix of ethnicities. It made me consider writing a cop-driven Australian mystery-thriller series, and voilà, The Detective Ryan Mystery Series was born.
How do you celebrate finishing a book?
CF: I always finish a book reluctantly — checking and rechecking, thinking and rethinking. But when the big day arrives, I have to accept that it’s finally done, and I can do no more. So, I celebrate with a big, slap-up meal and vow I won’t write another word of anything because writing novels is just too hard. Well, until I start the next book, that is.
What would you tell a writer who is just starting out? What program do you use for writing? What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book? What’s your writing software of choice?
CF: Procrastination and lacking confidence are the main obstacles to writing. In my opinion, the answer is to sit down, look at the blank page on your laptop, and, as they say in those Nike ads: “Just do it.”
I use Scrivener software to write my initial draft. I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone because it has many faults; however, I am now used to it.
How do you organize everything and finding the time to sit down and write?
CF: I treat writing a novel as a job, so for me, there is no ‘finding the time.’ The sad truth is that a writer has to sit alone in a room and stare at a blank page until something worth writing about happens.
As an author, what would you choose as your spirit animal?
CF: A Rottweiler — known for its strength, loyalty, protection, and confidence.
Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?
CF: My wife, friends, and publisher.
How do you name your characters?
CF: Naming a character isn’t really a science; it’s inspired by people I’ve met or heard about, and whose traits I want my character to have. Based on this, I choose a suitable name—or at least one I believe is suitable. However, in the past, I’ve been known midway through a book to change a character's name if I decide it doesn’t quite fit.
Can you describe a typical day in your writing life?
CF: I approach writing as a job. I spend from eight or nine o’clock to one or two o’clock for four days a week, in a room writing.
'All Or None' sees Detective Ryan back in the thick of things. His latest investigation into a mysterious death couldn’t come at a worse time. He discovers his mother is hiding a troubling secret and is further sidetracked by a new romance. Fans of who dunnit's, crime thrillers, and cop and detective stories will love this novel.
Clive's other books include 'Off Season' - book one in the Detective Ryan Murder Mystery series; 'Kill Code' - a dystopian science fiction novel set in a world facing climate change; ‘Scary Lizzy’ - a novel about an eight year old girl, who befriends an African child ghost – and the teen action adventure book; ‘The Boy Next Door ‘ - a story of what happens when a teenage girl has a crush on her next door neighbor, who isn’t all he seems. He also co-wrote ‘Art Pengriffin and The Curse of The Four’ - a young adult fantasy adventure about a teenage boy who discovers his father was Merlin the Magician.
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