M.M. Bailey’s latest novel, Pandora’s War introduces readers to a formidable heroine who operates in the shadows, taking on the criminal underworld. Pandora uses her cunning and influence to outmanoeuvre dangerous men and help the most vulnerable.
In this Q&A, M.M. Bailey discusses the inspiration behind Pandora’s War, bringing such a powerful female lead to life, and how she approached writing for a whole new audience. Bailey sheds light on the dark world Pandora navigates, the intricate relationships at play, and what readers can expect as the tension in her story reaches its boiling point.
Pandora’s War by M.M. Bailey is available to pre-order now.
Pandora’s War delves into the criminal underworld and its power dynamics. What inspired you to write a story like this, especially one with a strong female lead like Pandora?
I wanted to see a story with a strong female lead who wasn’t a hero but was willing to fight for what she wanted. Lots of stories with morally grey men recently so why not a woman?
Pandora is a complex character. She navigates a male-dominated world while remaining in the shadows. How did you approach developing her character, and what aspects of her personality were most important for you to convey?
I didn’t develop her character, she did. She took the lead and I was just along for the ride. But it was important for me that she stayed true to her goals, she wasn’t running from her past, she was plotting to tear it apart and that gave her a lot of her character. She knew she wouldn’t have been able to cause so much destruction without operating from the shadows and masterminding her plan.
Pandora’s War tackles serious issues like abuse and human trafficking. How did you balance these heavy themes with the action and suspense elements in the story?
To be honest I didn’t realise I had until after I completed the story, I had never intended to write a book about abuse and human trafficking but that was where Pandora’s story took her. I followed the path she set out, it wasn’t until someone read the first draft and pointed it out to me did I realise what serious issues the characters are fighting against, by any means necessary.
Your background in writing spans over a decade, but Pandora’s War marks your entry into adult fiction. How has your writing style evolved over the years, and what prompted you to take this leap into darker, more mature themes?
I’ve written for many ages and genres over the last decade, but it wasn’t until I started Pandora’s War that I truly realised how dark and brutal I could let my writing be, and it was a very freeing feeling.
World-building in a crime thriller can be crucial for immersing readers. Can you talk about how you created the setting for Pandora’s War and the kind of research that went into accurately depicting the criminal underworld?
I could pretend I plotted and built the whole world in great detail with lots of research, but that would be a lie. I write as I go, the world evolved as the story did and I feel sometimes if we think too much we end up info dumping and slowing down the pace rather than focusing on the heart of the story.
The relationship between Pandora and Miles Wyatt is described as an “uneasy alliance.” How do their interactions and the tension between them drive the narrative forward?
Pandora wants to be invisible; she knows it is crucial for her survival. But when she ends up on Miles’ radar, she knows that isn’t possible anymore and wants to know exact where Miles’ loyalties lie in the upcoming war, she doesn’t want to let him in or trust him, but sometimes you don’t always get the luxury of who you need to work with to succeed.
Joey Siegel, the book’s antagonist, poses a significant threat to Pandora and those she cares about. What makes him such a formidable adversary, and how did you craft his character to challenge Pandora?
Joey is Pandora’s boogey monster, he shaped her into the woman she becomes through the trauma he caused her and his power in the criminal underworld makes him a very dangerous man that nobody wants to cross, fear can do terrible things, but trust loyalty and respect, the things that Pandora inspires in her followers can be a much more powerful tool.
What was the most challenging scene for you to write in Pandora’s War, and why? How did you overcome any difficulties you faced during the writing process?
The most challenging scene for me to write was the spicy scene towards the end, I didn’t want it to be cringy or off-putting and I didn’t want a scene that was there just for the sake of it, I read a few books that seem to have adult scenes just for the shock factor that don’t add anything to the story, so I went with what felt right and took feedback of my early readers and editors.
Transitioning from a decade of writing experience into a debut adult novel can be daunting. What advice would you give to other writers looking to make a similar shift in their careers?
Write what feels right, and enjoy that buzz of something new exciting and unknown. Experiment, read widely and don’t be afraid to fail. You only fail when you give up. It is all an adventure and there’s always something new to learn.
What do you hope readers will take away from Pandora’s War? Is there anything in particular that you want to stick with readers when they finish the book?
I want the readers to remember the story and the characters, but most of all I want to make the readers to get to the end and be annoyed that it’s already over because it means they’ll be ready and waiting for more!
About Pandora’s War
In a world dominated by men, one woman is determined to take back power.
Pandora is a shadowy figure in the criminal underworld who manipulates gang rivalries to rescue women from abuse and trafficking, all while concealing her true identity and staying under the radar.
When one particular mission goes awry, Pandora is forced to form an uneasy alliance with gang leader Miles Wyatt to save those dear to them both from the clutches of a fearsome enemy, Joey Siegel. With Pandora forced into a dangerous game that might bring her entire plan crashing down, can she truly trust those around her and could there be a greater threat hiding just around the corner?
In a high-stakes world of gangsters and betrayal, Pandora fights to protect those that cannot protect themselves.
About M.M. Bailey
M.M Bailey is a writer who loves to play with fire, with over 10 years writing she has finally jumped into the world of adult writing and she ready to explore the darkness you’re all craving.