What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
Before becoming a full-time author, I worked as a court reporter, so many of my thrillers are rooted in real legal realities. One detail from the British legal system stayed with me: the Declaration of Presumed Death. After someone has been missing for seven years, a coroner can issue this document, meaning that in the eyes of the law, the missing person is officially dead. That idea wouldn’t leave me alone. I began thinking about the emotional impact of that moment. What would it feel like for a parent to lose a child without answers—and then be told to accept their death as fact? It felt like a second bereavement, a reopening of wounds. And in psychological thrillers, when old wounds reopen, buried secrets rarely stay buried for long.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?
Paranoid by Garbage. There’s a constant tension in this story between Kath’s search for the truth and the doubts surrounding her. She suspects her husband is hiding something, but she’s also battling grief, manipulation, and the slow erosion of her own confidence. That sense of unease—not knowing what’s real or who to trust—runs through every chapter.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I read widely—thrillers, fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, literary fiction, narrative history—anything with a strong story and compelling characters. A gripping story matters more to me than genre. As a writer, though, psychological thrillers are where I focus most of my time. I’m fascinated by the secrets people keep and the pressure points inside ordinary lives.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
My TBR pile grows faster than I can read it. Currently near the top are I Want Your Family by Daniel Hurst, the fifth Dungeon Crawler Carl book, Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, A Breaking of Realities by Jasmine Young, and If You’re Reading This by AJ Carter.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The twist. I won’t spoil it, but when I first outlined the novel, the twist was different and didn’t quite feel strong enough. I set the manuscript aside for a while. Then one day, out on a walk, the right twist arrived—and it reshaped the entire story. Once I had that in place, writing those final sections became one of the most satisfying parts of the process.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
Coffee probably counts. Beyond that, I try to keep writing practical rather than ritualistic. Before becoming an author, I worked in journalism, so producing words to a deadline was simply part of the job. I’ve been a full-time author since 2017 and typically write for around four hours each weekday, with the rest of the day spent on editing, publishing, and connecting with readers.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Story comes first. Everything else is secondary.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I want readers to remember how the story made them feel. A good psychological thriller lingers — not just because of the plot, but because of the emotional impact. If a book stays with you after you turn the final page, then it’s done its job.
