Clem Fatale has been Betrayed by Eve Wersocki-Morris
We have a delightful interview with Eve Wersocki-Morris about her new character and story, Clem Fatale!
Tell us about Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed.
It’s an adventure-comedy set in London 1951, starring twelve-year-old Clem Fatale – the youngest crook in the city – who uses her street-smarts and fast-talkin’ to find her missing dad; Jimmy Fatale, a famous jewel thief who goes missing on a job! Clem sets out into the Big Smoke with a young boy Gilbert – who she has accidentally kidnapped – and they embark on a thrilling adventure and an unlikely friendship! They square up to crooks and criminals; outwit gangsters (both silly and sinister); visit glamorous dance clubs, greasy-spoons and secret alleyways and have a jolly thrilling time!
Where did the idea for this story and set of characters come from?
I love 1940s and 1950s film noir thrillers – like The 39 Steps, The Third Man, The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemnity – and these were a huge influence on the series. The name Clem Fatale, in fact, comes from the archetype ‘femme fatale’ – the typical stock character of noir thrillers; a dangerous, deadly woman who is up to no good. This archetype is pretty sexist in real noir thrillers but it amused me to use a twist on the name for a young girl who is tough-as-nails, hates glamourous dresses and is both stubborn and loyal. The thrilling plots of danger and adventure in these noir thrillers were a big influence on the plot for Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed – when I started writing, I was amusing myself by parodying all the cliched elements from these old films; fast-paced taxi chases, mysterious phone calls, untrustworthy crooks and overly-dramatic villains, shadows and street lamps!
What research did you do for this time period and style of story?
I watched a lot of old footage from British Pathé old newsreels from 1940s and 1950s – it is such an incredible resource and has reels and reels of footage of areas of London, like Piccadilly Circus, just going along its daily business in 1951. This was really useful when it came to describing the setting. I re-watched those old film which had just inspired the story – especially films which were filming in London like Hue & Cry (1947), The Blue Lamp (1950) and The Long Arm (1956).
What might be next for Clem Fatale?
Well, well, well. Clem Fatale will return in a new adventure! And you can see a clue to the next adventure at the back of Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed. I can promise more fun and thrills with Clem and Gilbert – and their friends Winnie and Konrad; another twisting mystery; more drama and exciting; more locations in London Town; and more excellent slap-up meals!
What is your favourite part of the story?
There are so many! I absolutely loved writing this book! If I had to narrow it down to one… it would be the first scene when Clem and Gilbert are alone together, as they race into the heart of London Town, they have a very silly argument as Clem tries to be tough and cool and Gilbert is confused and secretly excited by the whole situation. It’s rather reminiscent of another genre of old movies; the ‘screw ball comedy’ which usually involves a man and woman having a fast-paced, sharp-witted argument (one of my favourites is Bringing up Baby when Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant adopt a leopard).
What do you hope readers will take from reading Clem’s story?
Above all I hope Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed will entertain readers. I hope it leaves them satisfied by a jolly fun mystery-adventure and grinning after spending time with the characters. If Clem Fatale has a message, it is about caring for those you love – this could be your family or those people who become your found-family.
Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed is out now (paperback, Little Tiger)
Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Federation.
