David Whitehouse on the “wild” true story that became his latest book Saltwater Mansions
In the grip of a Margate heatwave, David Whitehouse began searching for Caroline Lucas. The resident of a ground floor flat in a block by the sea, she paid all her bills on time every month, but no one had seen or heard from her in 13 years. His search became the subject of his latest book, Saltwater Mansions.
Speaking to Caroline’s neighbours, David hears both their theories about her disappearance, and their own unique stories. The closer he gets to the truth, the more it becomes clear that she is not actually the centre of this story.
Saltwater Mansions is David’s second creative non-fiction, following the acclaimed About A Son, the true story of the senseless murder of 20 year old Morgan Hehir based on diaries written by his father Colin.
As part of this year’s Margate Bookie, David will be in conversation with fellow author Lisa Owens about Saltwater Mansions. They will discuss the impact of grief and the dangerous allure of taking true crime stories into your own hands.
We caught up with David to find out more about Saltwater Mansions and his plans for the future.
How did you learn about the story of Caroline Lane?
My hairdresser was the one who first told me the story of Caroline Lane - a woman who vanished from Margate and hadn’t been seen for 13 years. It should surprise nobody that hairdressers are magnificent sources of local intrigue because they spend all day hearing other people’s secrets, but I could never have expected to hear a story so wild as Caroline’s, or predict where it might take me.
At what point did you know you wanted to write a book about her?
I spent many months searching for Caroline before I knew I wanted to write a book about her. Something being a good subject for a book is not the same as it being something it’s possible to write a book about. But the more I kept digging, the more fascinated I became. I couldn’t get past the idea that Caroline could vanish without her story being known, and writing a book became the only way of exorcising that.
What was the most surprising thing you learned while researching the book?
How completely someone can vanish off the face of the earth in a day and age of hyper-connectivity. It’s a damming indictment of modern living that Caroline could disappear without anyone seeming to notice or care.
This is your second creative non-fiction book. How did your style develop on Saltwater Mansions from About A Son? Did you approach it differently?
I think good creative non-fiction has its approach tailored to the subject, so these two books feel to me like they’re written in almost entirely different styles . That said, they could be cousins. They have shared qualities. I hope they’re both empathetic and compassionate and sensitive and human, because both their subjects deserve that.
Do you have plans for your next book?
I do, but it’s very early days and I’m not sure it’s going to work yet. I’m still in the terrifying bit. Definitely too terrifying to talk about.
See David Whitehouse in conversation with Lisa Owens at this year’s Margate Bookie at the Turner Contemporary on Saturday, 11 October. Book tickets now.