Debut author, P.J. Nash joins me today to shine the spotlight on his new character, Cyrus Bain …
Cyrus Bain is the leader of the Melbourne crime gang, ‘The Redbacks’. He is the father of one daughter, Tess Bain, whose mother was one of Bain’s former customers. His relationship with the mother is non-existent. While he is a doting father to Tess, his parental duties are often interrupted by spells in an Australian Super Max prison. When not dealing high class illegal narcotics or throwing accountants off high rise buildings, Cyrus likes to relax with a Cuban cigar next to his ‘Monet Bridge’ pond and observe his fine collection of Koi carp.
When did you create him?
Cyrus was created in 2008. I just imagined this cat like villain sitting in a high security prison smoking a Cuban cigar. Whilst he was incarcerated and not literally ‘free’ the cigar is a symbol of his absolute power within the prison.
Did you write the book to accommodate Cyrus or Cyrus to accommodate the book?
Cyrus Bain was ‘in my head’ before I wrote the book. But a high calibre good cops needs a smart villain to keep him on his toes. Bain is Moriarty to Lawrence James’ Holmes.
What do you like most about him?
His ultimate desire to be the best and ability to escape from custody. And his devotion to his daughter.
What do you like least about him?
His ‘day job’ of selling narcotics and his propensity to psychotic rages.
Does he have any similarities with anyone real?
Bain is a hybrid of two real life Irish gangsters, Martin Cahill aka ‘The General’ and Gerry Hutch ‘The Monk’ Both got to the top of their profession with cunning ruthlessness yet were relatively modest in their habits. Of course Bain is a bit more of a libertine with his Cuban cigars and Remy Martin.
What are your plans for him?
Bain will continue to be a thorn in the side of Lawrence James for a while yet I think.
Would you be friends in real life?
I’m not sure would be friends but I’d definitely be interested in meeting him from time to time for a Remy Martin and a cigar to see how things were going in the Australian underworld.
Now if you want to find out more about Cyrus Bain, you can get your copy of The Hunt for the Dingo now! Here’s the blurb …
In the arid expanses of Australia’s red deserts, a killer is preying on British female backpackers. Dubbed ‘The Dingo’ by the media, he stalks his prey then disappears without a trace.
In a bid to catch the man responsible, the local police call on the talents of Melbourne’s finest, ex British cop, Lawrence James and leading criminal psychologist Jesse Sandersen.
Meanwhile, James has unfinished business with Melbourne crime kingpin, Cyrus Bain, a gangster who will do whatever it takes to stay out of jail.
When another young girl disappears, it is a race against time to catch the killer.
Can James bring The Dingo to justice?
Will he escape with his life intact?
In their hunt for the murderer, James and Sandersen unearth some disturbing secrets that many would rather remain buried.
Emma The Little Bookworm 