Bestselling adventure novelist Kevin Sands on theoretical physics, smoke bombs, and the biggest compliment he’s received from a fan

BY SUE CARTER

Q&A

THOMAS ZITNANSKY

TORONTO AUTHOR Kevin Sands had earned two degrees in theoretical physics and was toiling away as a researcher and teacher before writing his first middle-grade novel, The Blackthorn Key (Simon & Schuster Canada). Set in 16thcentury England, the classic adventure tale follows the exploits of apothecary assistant Christopher Rowe, whose puzzle-solving and potion-making skills come i n handy when a series of murders happen close to home – and he’s called upon to help track down the killer. This fall, Sands returns with the third book in the bestselling series, The Assassin’s Curse, which takes Christopher to France to investigate a mysterious, centuries-old curse targeting the royal family.