Live From Capital Crime: Clare Mackintosh on The Art Of Manipulating the Reader

Recorded live at Capital Crime Festival 2026, David Headley is joined on stage by one of Britain's most celebrated crime writers, Clare Mackintosh.With the release of her latest thriller, It's Not What You Think, Clare takes audiences behind the scenes, revealing how she carefully constructs twists, plants misdirection and plans every emotional beat of a reader's journey.Together they discuss why human psychology matters more than crime itself, the challenge of writing politically charged fiction, how her years as a police officer continue to shape her novels, and the pressure of following up bestselling books that readers have come to expect the impossible from.From plotting "bookish whiplash" to balancing suspense with humour, this is a fascinating conversation about the craft of storytelling with one of the genre's finest writers.2027 early bird tickets for Capital Crime Festival are on sale for a limited time at www.capitalcrime.org/ticketsAnd you can buy signed copies of Clare's latest thriller, It's Not What You Think at Goldsboro Books.Send Me Your Book Confessions — share your favourite books, collecting stories, questions and reactions to episodes.