The Brighton-born, global best-selling crime writer on campsite chaos, death-defying bumps and the Canadian wilderness he’ll never forget

Are you a good driver?
I think so. I’ve been driving a long time, and I race classic cars, so I had to take a test for my racing licence. I’ve also been out with the traffic police many times as research for my Roy Grace novels. Hitting bends at 150 miles per hour can be pretty scary.

How long did it take you to pass your test?
I failed my driving test and my race licence the first time. Same mistake in both cases: slamming the brakes on too hard for the emergency stop. I took my race licence at Silverstone and spun a Lotus Elise at Copse. I remember looking at my instructor and noticing that his face was quite pale.

What was your first car?
A 1929 Rolls-Royce hearse. Got it from an undertaker in Dorset for 175 quid. It terrified my mother, so she made me sell it and bought me an MGA. I got two speeding tickets in a matter of weeks!

First time you drove abroad?
Three mates and I drove down to Benidorm. We hired a little Fiat 600 and headed for a campsite in the pouring rain. As we drove across the field, all the people were shouting at us. Our bumper had hooked the guy ropes of a tent and we were dragging two German guys with us. We became great friends.

Your favourite road trip destination?
Driving through France to Annecy – a beautiful Alpine town – and then down the Route Napoleon to Cannes. I always include a stop-off in Reims, because you can drive part of the old Grand Prix circuit. The pit straight is now a main road.

Have you ever crashed?
A big one at Brands Hatch in 2013. I went into Paddock Hill at 90 and got tapped at the rear. Rolled four times, broke three ribs, bruised spleen, three slipped discs, tore the ligaments in my wrist. On the back of the car, I had the title of my new book: Dead Man’s Time. Luckily, it wasn’t my time!

What’s your ultimate driving song?
Ah, now that depends where I’m going and whether I’ve set off early enough. A friend of mine once said to me, “Peter, if you’re in a hurry, you always listen to Meat Loaf’s ‘Bat Out of Hell’. And when you’re chilled out, it’s always classical.”

Prone to road rage?
You come across idiots so often these days... it’s pointless getting angry. My wife Lara has a wonderful phrase for whenever she sees a driver doing something stupid: “Interesting manoeuvre”.

Most dramatic road trip story?
I spent many years working in North America and had to drive up to the Canadian wilderness, north of Thunder Bay in Ontario. As we set out one morning, all you could see – for miles and miles in every direction – was snow. Absolutely breathtaking.

What cars do you own now?
This sounds embarrassing, but... I’m not quite sure. I think it’s 15. A few race cars, including a 1962 Corvette that came second at Daytona, a Mini Cooper S 1965 and two police cars that I donated to Sussex Police. For daily use, a Porsche 911, a Škoda Yeti for lugging the dogs around and a hybrid Range Rover.

What’s your dream car?
A lightweight, racing Aston Martin DB5.

Describe your relationship to driving in five words or less.
Racing is life.

One of Us is Dead, Peter James’ 20th Roy Grace novel, will be published by Pan Macmillan on 24 September.

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This article has been tagged Adventure, Driving