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THE SATURDAY INTERVIEW:The witty and self-deprecating Eoin Colfer puts the success of his Artemis books down to a happy childhood and his time as a primary teacher in Wexford

EOIN COLFER steps out of his titanium pod, its underside charred black after its journey from the earth’s core, and blinks as he emerges into the blinding morning sun. He lifts the night-vision goggles to his temples and sets down his Hummingbird Z7, an elaborate whisper-silent solar-powered wing pack. A wry, knowing smile reveals itself. There’s a Sig Sauer in his shoulder holster, a derringer two-shot up his sleeve, garrote wire in his watch and three stun grenades concealed in his pockets.