Author: VM KNOX

Growing up in Sydney in the 50’s and 60’s, V M Knox attended both Ravenswood and Abbotsleigh schools. Following her secondary education she trained as a primary teacher then as a nurse, specializing in burns care. While working in the health industry, she studied singing at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music and worked in a semi-professional capacity as an opera singer for over twenty years. While music and nursing dominated her early adult life, she later worked in an administrative capacity for the Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, and in the real estate industry. Coming to writing later in life has meant that her varied life experiences, coupled with a love of history have had a strong influence on her writing. She is married with two children and numerous grandchildren.

The Hospital of St Cross

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The Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty is a medieval almshouse in Winchester, Hampshire, England. It has been described as “England’s oldest and most perfect almshouse This is one of the many wonderful places I visited whilst researching my latest novel ‘Where Death and Danger Go”.

Winchester College

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I visited Winchester College when I was researching for Book 3 “Where Death and Danger Go”.

Winchester College is an independent boarding school for boys situated in Winchester, Hampshire. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years.

VM KNOX RESEARCH TOUR

MEET THE AUTHOR

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Author Profiles – V M Knox

I grew up in Sydney in the 50’s and 60’s, but during my teenage years was fortunate to travel extensively with my family. I must admit this made me a life-long Anglophile with a love for old Blighty that I’ve never lost. Following school I trained as a primary school teacher which I didn’t enjoy, so I became a nurse, specialising in burns care. While working in the health industry, I studied singing at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music and worked in a semi-professional capacity as an opera singer for over twenty years. The highlights of my singing career included being on stage at the Roman amphitheater in Merida Spain, singing for their graces the Duke and Duchess of Wellington at their estate in Stratfield Saye, for Governor David Martin at the New South Wales Government House and on stage at the Sydney Opera House. Coming into writing later in life has meant that my varied experiences, coupled with a love of history have had a strong influence on me. The era of world war two and the experience of the British people within it have of course influenced my Clement Wisdom series of novels.

Thanks Vicky, so what gave you the idea for Clement? The original idea came from a question about ‘The Scallywags’ on the TV programme, QI. Stephen Fry recounted how Scallywags, more formally known as The Auxiliary Units, were resistance fighters formed in Britain in 1940 as a direct result of the fall of France and what seemed at the time to be the imminent Nazi invasion of Britain. These top secret cells were given special training in what would be ‘behind the lines’ operations, including clandestine assassinations and sabotage all in an effort to thwart or at least delay the Nazi advance to London. Life expectancy for a Scallywag once activated was two weeks. I was fascinated by the men that would have volunteered for such a mission and the formation of the Auxiliary Units was the basis of book one in the series, In Spite of All Terror. The main character is a vicar, the Reverend Clement Wisdom who, by the end of the story, has left his pulpit and joined the Special Duties Section of The Secret Intelligence Service. That set me up nicely for book two, If Necessary Alone and now of course, book three, Where Death and Danger Go.

What’s the underlying theme that the books deals with?  Clement has a high sense of moral conduct as shown in his sense of duty to his country and his fellow man. Courage, selflessness and integrity are foundational to his character.

What do you hope readers will take from the series? I would like to think that people will read some hitherto unknown history of World War Two, albeit within a fictitious story, and understand the immediate and immense danger experienced every day by ordinary people. How people react to extreme situations will influence the course of their lives and their choices. Hopefully some may even emulate Clement’s high sense of putting others before self.

Where did you get the titles from? All three books’ titles are quotes from Winston Churchill’s speeches. It seemed very fitting.

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Shetland Bus Memorial

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During WWII, the Norwegian resistance movement operated the ‘Shetland Bus’ from here. The trips were very successful, carrying agents, wireless operators and military supplies to Norway for the resistance movement. This memorial is built with stones from Scottland and the Norwegian stones are from the home areas of 44 Norwegians who died running the gauntlet between Norway and Scalloway.

THANK YOU!

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My first novel In Spite of all Terror is currently trending on Amazon USA in the top 10 for three categories: Historical Stories, War Fiction and Murder!

I wanted to give a huge thank you to everyone who has purchased one of my books. I hope you love it and read all 3 books in the series.

If you are new to the clement wisdom series please see the below link https://vmknoxauthor.com/order-books/ 

WISTOW

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Wistow is a village within Huntingdonshire which is a non-metropolitan district of Cambridgeshire as well as being a historic county of England. I visited Wistow in search of locations for my latest novel “Where Death and Danger Go”. Wistow is a farming community that has grown up around the central features of its church and manor house.