Sam Blake on what she hopes Irish readers gain from her books

Not only does she write the most addictive and gripping reads, but she also appreciates the bookish world just as much as her readers do.

In an interview with Her.ie, the author opened up about what she hopes readers can gain from her novels.

Sam Blake has been nominated for an An Post Book Award. Her novel The Killing Sense has been nominated for Irish Crime Novel of the Year.

Speaking about her nomination, the author said it's a thrill to be included in this year's awards.

"It is absolutely thrilling! There are incredible books published in Ireland every year, and to have your work recognised by a national award is such a huge honour.

"The Killing Sense was one of my biggest books to write, and I went to Paris three times to research it (and took two courses to learn how to make perfume while I was there), so the shortlisting is even more special," she added.

There's a reason Sam Blake's books are so loved in Ireland, and it's because she offers us escapism through her incredible work.

"I want readers to be gripped by my books, to be so immersed that they forget they are reading, but also to discover something new.

"The Killing Sense is about perfume, about a killer who is obsessed with the scent of perfume on the skin of redheaded women and who lures Irish single mum Kate Wilde to Paris, thinking that she’s won an online competition that she can’t remember entering."

"Perfume reacts to redheads’ skin in a different way than others, and I hope the reader finds that as fascinating as I do! It’s a book about obsession, fear and survival with a hint of romance."

You can buy The Killing Sense here.

You can also buy the Kindle version here.