Episode Details

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa talks to author Claire Leslie Hall about her extraordinary novel Broken Country — a story of love, grief, longing, and the choices that shape our lives.

Set against the backdrop of the English countryside, Broken Country begins with a shocking line: a man is dead — but who is he, and why? From there unfolds a deeply emotional story of a marriage under strain, a first love that returns, and a community divided.

Claire shares the fascinating journey behind the book — from the moment of inspiration during lambing season in rural Dorset to the four-year writing process that included rewrites, abandoned drafts, and even stepping away to write another novel before returning to the story.

Philippa and Claire discuss:

• The real-life moment that sparked the opening scene
• Why the novel took four years to write and dramatically changed along the way
• How the book blends genres — love story, mystery, and courtroom drama
• Watching a murder trial at the Old Bailey for research
• The meaning behind the title Broken Country
• The evolution of the book’s cover design
• The surreal moment the novel was chosen for Reese’s Book Club by Reese Witherspoon
• Claire’s background as a journalist and how it shaped her writing style
• What readers might expect from her next novel

Plus: dream writing sheds, nightmare writing locations, the joy (and terror) of editorial notes, and the all-important biscuit question.

If you love character-driven fiction with emotional depth and a touch of suspense, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Books Mentioned

• Broken Country — Claire Leslie Hall
• Pictures of Him — Claire Leslie Hall
• Days You Were Mine — Claire Leslie Hall
• To Kill a Mockingbird — by Harper Lee
• The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian
• Odette Rising by Julianne Edwards

Quick Book Reviews features author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.

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