Rachel Wolf, author of the “addictive” (Erin Kelly) new thriller Five Nights, has penned a piece on ‘Characters We Love to Hate’ for CultureFly.

In the article, which you can read in full here, Rachel explores why we find villains so compelling and discusses the inspirations behind Five Nights, including her travels and her favourite all-time literary villains.

A gripping standalone thriller, uncovering the dark secrets of a rich and powerful family over five nights on a glamorous luxury cruise.

Mattia Scarmardo, media and shipping empire mogul and head of the most famous family in Britain, is about to retire. He’s taken his four children and new young wife Belle on the maiden voyage of his new luxury cruise ship. The tabloids are buzzing: is he about to announce his successor?

Belle insists that best friend Emily join the party. She needs an ally against her feuding stepchildren. But from the moment they set off, sinister things start to occur: one son disappears, a second falls ill, and Mattia’s daughter’s business is sabotaged. And, looming over it all, is the question that makes Emily fear desperately for Belle. What really happened to Mattia’s first wife three years ago?

Five Nights is out tomorrow. Grab your copy here, in supermarkets or, better, via your local bookshop or Bookshop.org.

Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachelWolfWritr.