In My Good Books

99: Simon Mason: Crime, Class and Chaos in The Dangerous Stranger

This week on In My Good Books, I’m joined by award-winning crime writer Simon Mason to discuss his latest novel, The Dangerous Stranger — the fifth instalment in his DI Ryan Wilkins series. Set in Oxford, the series follows mismatched detective duo Ryan Wilkins and Ray Wilkins — two men who share a surname but could not be more different. In this episode, Simon talks about creating one of modern crime fiction’s most compelling detective partnerships, why their differences make them work so well, and how their relationship has evolved across the series. Along the way, we chat about: * Why Simon deliberately gives readers just enough backstory to jump into the series at any point * The inspiration behind Ryan and Ray’s unusual dynamic * How little police procedural research he actually does * Why entertaining the reader always comes first * His move from children’s fiction into adult crime writing * The pressures and pleasures of writing a long-running crime series Simon also shares some brilliant book recommendations, including Lazare by Nelio Biedermann and the work of Flannery O'Connor. Buy The Dangerous Stranger: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-dangerous-stranger-the-latest-instalment-in-the-pacy-oxford-set-di-ryan-wilkins-series-simon-mason/f6322c01045ab322?ean=9781529439595&next=t

98: Ilona Bannister on Public Spaces, Moral Dilemmas and Complicated Characters

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by Ilona Bannister to discuss her gripping new thriller, Five — one of the most original and thought-provoking books I’ve read this year. Five strangers stand on a train platform waiting for the next service to London Victoria. In five minutes, one of them will die. The reader knows what’s coming, but the characters do not. As the clock ticks down, we learn more about each passenger and are forced to confront our own judgments about who deserves more time. We talk about her unique writing process, why she doesn’t outline her novels, and how the structure of Five evolved organically as the story developed. We also discuss: * Why the narrator has divided readers so strongly * Creating morally complex characters readers constantly reassess * Writing Emma, one of the book’s most controversial mothers * The research behind the novel and Ilona’s former career as a lawyer * Exploring public judgment, neurodivergence and empathy through fiction * Why thriller fiction has become the perfect home for her writing Find Ilona here: https://www.instagram.com/ilona.bannister/ Buy Five here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/five-ilona-bannister/7889982?ean=9780008770563&next=t Ilona also recommends two brilliant recent reads:  The Good Listener by Holly Watt https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-good-listener-holly-watt/7982023?ean=9781526694577&next=t May We Feed the King by Rebecca Perry https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/may-we-feed-the-king-rebecca-perry/7972133?ean=9781803513867&next=t If you enjoy literary thrillers, morally complex characters and books that leave you questioning your own assumptions, this episode is for you.

97: Victoria West on Never Alone, Breaking Into Publishing & Writing Diverse Stories That Feel Real

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by psychological thriller author Victoria West to talk about her debut novel Never Alone, her unconventional journey into publishing, and why authentic representation in fiction matters more than ever. Victoria shares the story behind Never Alone, a tense and atmospheric psychological thriller that explores isolation, identity, and the secrets we carry. We dive into the inspiration behind the novel, her writing process, and how she builds suspense while keeping her characters emotionally grounded and relatable. This episode is a must-listen for readers who love psychological thrillers, aspiring writers curious about the publishing journey, and anyone interested in how storytelling is evolving to better reflect the world we live in. Find Victoria here: https://www.vwauthor.com/ Buy Never Alone: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/never-alone-victoria-west/3df9f6048e999fc9?ean=9781836730439&next=t Books recommended in this episode: Sick to Death: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/sick-people-chris-bridges/7613746?ean=9780008698140&next=t The Marriage Act: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-marriage-act-john-marrs/5753433?ean=9781529071191&next=t One by One: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/one-by-one-a-completely-unputdownable-crime-thriller-sam-frances/5d33ef25e38e9acb?ean=9781035418442&next=t

96: Chris Brookmyre on Quite Ugly One Evening, Satire, Family and Murder at Sea

This week on In My Good Books, I’m joined by bestselling Scottish crime writer Chris Brookmyre to discuss his brilliant new novel Quite Ugly One Evening. A darkly funny, sharply observed locked-room mystery set aboard a transatlantic cruise ship. Thirty years after the publication of Quite Ugly One Morning, Chris revisits iconic investigative journalist Jack Parlabane in a story packed with murder, family rivalry, satire and social commentary. We talk about the inspiration behind the novel, why the culture wars became such an important theme in the book, and how Chris wanted to explore the idea that we often have far more in common than we realise. In this episode we also discuss: * Why Quite Ugly One Evening had to reconnect with the tone of the original Jack Parlabane novels * The real-life cruise experience that inspired the book’s setting * How social media outrage and “footballified” politics influenced the story * Returning to recurring characters after nearly a decade away * The challenges of writing satire in today’s climate * The appeal of shared fictional universes * Chris’s excellent recent book recommendations Find Chris here: https://www.instagram.com/cbrookmyre/ Buy Quite Ugly One Evening: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/quite-ugly-one-evening-jack-parlabane-is-back-in-this-ingenious-locked-room-mystery-chris-brookmyre/2f80c5a47ea9ad58?ean=9780349145822&next=t Books recommended in this episode: A Bad Bad Place: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/a-bad-bad-place-frances-crawford/7876073?ean=9780857508003&next=t A Violent Masterpiece: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/a-violent-masterpiece-jordan-harper/ad0944d31f7ac26d?ean=9780571394647&next=t

95: Jo Callaghan on Body of Lies, Kat & Lock, and Ending a Beloved Series

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by bestselling author Jo Callaghan to talk about Body of Lies, the final book in the Kat and Lock series. In our conversation, Jo reflects on bringing the series to a close, and why the relationship between Kat and Lock has been at the heart of its success. We talk about how readers connected so deeply with these characters, and why their dynamic, balancing human instinct and emotion with artificial intelligence, has resonated with so many. We also explore the bigger ideas behind the books, including Jo’s hope that her writing can help demystify AI and encourage us to think more carefully about how we shape its role in ourlives. Along the way, Jo shares insight into her writing process, including the pressure of ending a beloved series, rewriting a major plot point at the last minute, and how her own experiences of grief shaped the emotional arc of the books. Find Jo here:https://www.instagram.com/jocallaghankat/ Buy Body of Lies:https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/body-of-lies-the-crime-thriller-of-2026-from-the-award-winning-and-sunday-times-bestselling-author-of-in-the-blink-of-an-eye-jo-callaghan/cbbcf2c82f6b5367?ean=9781398535565&next=t Books recommended in this episode: When the Cranes Fly South:https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/when-the-cranes-fly-south-lisa-ridzen/7733271?ean=9781804995808&next=t You Are Here:https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/you-are-here-david-nicholls/337b7d609c18664b?ean=9781444715460&next=t When Will There Be Good News:https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/when-will-there-be-good-news-jackson-brodie-kate-atkinson/413666?ean=9780552772457&next=t Missing, Presumed:https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/missing-presumed-susie-steiner/4494337?ean=9780008123321&next=t