My passion for crime fiction began when my high school teacher gave me boxes of books by the likes of Mickey Spillane, James Ellroy and Raymond Chandler. My first forays into crime writing were short stories, including ‘Fresh Bait’ which was published by Artemis Press and has since been reprinted many times in high school texts.
My early crime novels are now all in the bottom drawer, and in 1996 I began writing books for children and young adults, resulting in more than 70 titles published by Penguin Random House, UQP, HarperCollins, Pearson and Macmillan Education. My books for young readers have won awards and been published overseas. My middle grade crime novel, Dying to Tell Me, was published in the USA by KaneMiller and was a VOYA Top Shelf pick.
I continued to write adult crime fiction for my own enjoyment while publishing books for a younger audience. When I entered my novel, Trust Me, I’m Dead in the 2018 CWA Debut Dagger Awards, I was delighted to be shortlisted. This has led to a two-book deal with UK publisher, Verve Books. The sequel to Trust Me, I’m Dead is Dead and Gone.
Book 3 is in progress!
Trust Me, I’m Dead was longlisted for the CWA John Creasey New Dagger Award 2020 and the NZ Ngaio Marsh Best Novel award.
Favourite writers: Tana French, Ann Cleeves, Elly Griffiths, Mark Billingham, Peter Robinson, Val McDermid, and many more.
Favourite TV shows: (at the moment) Vera, Line of Duty, Endeavour, Bosch, Longmire, Person of Interest, Happy Valley.
Secret writer’s wish: To write an episode of Vera.