Former barrister and celebrated crime author Harriet Tyce, currently captivating audiences on BBC's The Traitors, has revealed she needed to have a serious conversation with her husband to dispel fears she was plotting a real-life 'escape route'. The chat was prompted by her intensive research for a forthcoming novel centred on divorce.
An 'Occupational Hazard' of Crime Writing
In an interview with Killer Nashville released shortly before her appearance on the hit reality show, Tyce discussed the perils of her profession. She admitted that her internet search history, often filled with grim details for her books like the Sunday Times Bestseller Blood Orange, is a constant concern.
"I think that’s an occupational hazard!" Tyce stated when asked if she worried about someone stumbling across her searches. She elaborated that her new book's focus on divorce necessitated deep dives into family law and custody battles, leading to a necessary reassurance for her spouse.
Reassuring Her Husband Amidst the Research
"My next book will be dealing with divorce, amongst other things, and I’ve had to tell my husband up front that all of my searches about family law and custody battles are for book purposes and not because I’m planning an escape route," Tyce explained.
She also recalled the logistical planning for Blood Orange's final scene, which led her to websites she "really would never want to visit." This blend of creative necessity and domestic diplomacy highlights the unique challenges faced by writers of dark fiction.
Competitive Streak Extends to Home Life
Tyce's determined nature, which viewers saw when she helped banish the first Traitor, Hugo Lodge, isn't confined to the castle. She recently confessed that the board game Monopoly is banned in her household due to her intensely competitive spirit.
"My husband and I don’t play Monopoly anymore because it would have led to a divorce after a particularly bad game," she said. "I very much like winning. I want to win if I’m doing something, I want to be the best."
Meanwhile, on The Traitors, which continues tonight at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer, Tyce has fuelled fan theories. After the reveal that contestants Roxy and Judy are mother and daughter, speculation is rife about other secret connections. Some viewers suspect a familial or professional link between Tyce and fellow former barrister Hugo Lodge.
The mystery deepens with the ongoing enigma of the Secret Traitor, whose identity remains hidden from both viewers and fellow Traitors, set to be unmasked in Wednesday night's episode.
