Minette Walters

Agatha Christie famously mapped out whodunnit, how and why before she put pen to paper.

But the acclaimed crime novelist Minette Walters revealed this morning that she has no idea, when she begins writing, who the murderer will be.

Minette's one of a new generation of crime novelists, who's not afraid to tackle tough subjects, from drugs to paedophilia.

She joined Breakfast to talk about her latest book, Fox Evil, which is published today.

"When I start writing, I don't know who's done it," she explained to Bill and Sian. "I never know until half way through."

Pauline Quirke starred in the TV adaptation of The Sculptress

"I put myself in the position of a real policeman who doesn't know anything when he finds the body.

"I set up a handful of characters and get them to ask each other questions. That way I'm writing all the characters to the same strength."

Minette Walters' latest book, Fox Evil, is a dark thriller set amongst the fox hunters of an isolated Dorset village.

Her idea was to take a village which was dying on its feet, as more and more homes became holiday cottages.

What would happen when only a handful of villlagers were left - especially if they all hated each other?

click here to watch our interview in full with Minette Walters

Minette Walters' previous books include The Ice House, The Sculptress, The Scold's Bridle, The Dark Room, The Echo, The Breaker, The Shape of Snakes and Acid Row

Minette Walters' latest book, Fox Evil, is published by Macmillan at £12.99. ISBN 1 4050 0109-7 90100