My books

When readers think of Aloha Goodbye, they picture the Pearl of the Pacific: the ocean, the heat, the endless decks, and the murder that pulls DI Matthew Goodwin into an investigation he never planned to lead.

Some detectives walk into a room and make noise. Penny Stock walks in and makes progress. Her introduction in Connecting Trains is classic Penny: no drama, no ego, no need to announce herself. She simply steps in and starts organising the evidence, computers and the murder board.

This week Thai Die is on promo, and Don’t Die for Me, Argentina is heading towards its full launch on 2nd May. Two books set on opposite sides of the world, shaped by two very different chapters of my life — but tied together by one unexpected thread. Horses.

People often assume writers know the ending from the moment they begin. As if the story arrives fully formed, waiting to be typed up in a neat, linear line from Chapter One to The End. But that’s not how it works. Not for me, and not for most writers I know.

That moment, the first reader, is the heartbeat of my ARC team. The first to turn the page.

a good review is worth its weight in gold. Not because it feeds an ego or ticks a box, but because it represents something far more meaningful—a reader who connected with the story I poured my heart into.

So yes, the fervour around KU and AI is real. But my response is simple: I will keep writing from the raw, unfiltered truth of my own experience. Because that is the one thing AI can never replicate.

Thai Die is a strong start to my series, and visibility matters. Getting it into the hands of readers is the ultimate goal.

There’s a particular kind of chaos that comes with writing more than one book at a time.

Finishing the writing phase of Lethal Leith Hill

Secret case file on the case before Thai Die, delivered to your in box on signup

How Leith Hill and my history with it features in Lethal Leith Hill.

Exploring the contrasting psychology at play in the alternating DI Matthew Goodwin detective series.

Do you need a plotline, timeline or outline for your writing?

Reviews on your novels are important for sales, especially and obviously if they are good ones. When people searching for books in your...

Jumping to some of the final aspects of writing a novel this article in the Writing Series is all about Editing, as that is where I am...

Not all authors always loved English or writing. I hated it! I was an avid reader enjoying everything I could get my hands on to do with...

What a busy week last week, with filming of further chapters of the audio book and first few episodes of the podcast 'The story behind my...

Filming started last week for the video audio version of Thai Die. It launches with Chapter 1 out next Sunday 30th March, Mother's Day in...

This last week, 'Connecting Trains', the second in the DI Matthew Goodwin series has been on offer on Amazon for the Kindle version....