The Incident Room

Sean is joined by two exceptional authors for this, the last episode of season two.Following on from last week’s episode, I’m so excited to be joined by two more amazing women.Bonnie Burke-Patel is a compelling voice in the crime fiction world. She is the author of “I Died at Fallow Hall” and her most recent release, “Dead As Gold”. Bonnie is known for her atmospheric storytelling and complex characters, and she has been shortlisted for a CWA Gold Dagger, the Betty Trask Prize, and the McDermid Debut Award along with me and some other phenomenal writers.Rebecca Hannigan's debut novel “Darkrooms” was released this year. Rebecca holds an MA in Creative Writing from UEA and won the UEA/Little, Brown Crime Prize, and was shortlisted for the Virago/The Pool Best new Crime Writer award. Born in England to Irish parents, she brings a haunting, authentic tension to her stories.You can find out more about Bonnie Burke-Patel here:Bonnie's profile on the Bedford Square Publishers website.Bonnie's Amazon Author page.Amazon page for "We Search the Island for Grace" pre-order.You can find out more about Rebecca Hannigan here:Rebecca's website.Rebecca's Amazon Author page.Amazon page for "Darkrooms".

Sean is joined by two really exciting female voices in the crime genre: Caroline Corcoran and Elly Vine.Caroline Corcoran is a former journalist for some of the biggest newspapers and women’s magazines in the UK. She’s now an internationally-published Sunday Times bestselling author of six novels, including her most recent “The Next Woman”, which was released in March this year. She has another novel coming later this year, too!Elly Vine, also known as Lucy, is the author of comedy crime novel “The Lottery Winner Widows Club” which was released in March this year. Lucy is the author of 8 other novels, including 2017’s “Hot Mess”.You can find out more about Caroline Corcoran here:Caroline's website.Caroline's Amazon Author page.Amazon page for "The Next Woman".You can find out more about Elly Vine here:Elly/Lucy's website.Elly's Amazon Author page.Amazon page for "The Lottery Winner Widows Club".

Sean is joined by independently published authors Donna Morfett and Ian M Williamson.Donna is a crime fiction scene sweetheart, Donna Morfett, author of the DI Cora Snitten Series, which includes “The Disappearance of Peter Markham” and “Masquerade of Murder”. Donna has a degree in Forensic Science, which I’m slightly envious of, and began writing during the dark days of Covid-19.Ian is a is fellow Scouse author and all-round lovely guy, Ian M Williamson, author of “In the Name of the Reich”, which is an alternate history thriller where Germany won World War II and how Nazi occupation of Britain has shaped society. Ian graduated with a degree in History and Hispanic Studies, where his interests in history were based largely in 20th century world politics.You can find out more about Donna Morfett here:Donna's Amazon Author page.Amazon page for "The Disappearance of Peter Markham".Amazon page for "Masquerade of Murder".You can find out more about Ian M Williamson here:Ian's Amazon Author page.Amazon page for "In the Name of the Reich".

Sean is joined by Greg Mosse and Jamie West for a chat about cosy crime and theatre.Greg Mosse is the author of three series: The Maisie Cooper Mysteries, The French Village Mysteries, and The Coming Darkness. Greg is also an accomplished actor, director, and writer with an extensive theatre background.Jamie West has spent the last twenty years working across theatres in London's West End. His novels ("Death on the Pier" and "Murder at the Matinee"), feature murder mystery playwright, turned real-life detective, Bertie Carroll. "Murder at the Matinee" was shortlisted for the CWA Whodunnit Dagger Award.You can find out more about Greg Mosse here:Greg Mosse's website.Greg Mosse's Amazon author page.You can find more about Jamie West here:Jamie West's website.Jamie West's Amazon author page.

Sean is joined by Jackie Kabler, TM Payne, and Kev from Bookstagram account, The First Eleven Minutes.Jackie Kabler is an award-winning author of psychological thrillers, with Amazon number one hits in both the UK and Canada. Jackie's next novel, "Run For Your Life", is out in June 2026.TM Payne is an Amazon #1 bestselling author of the Sheridan Holler Series including "Count the Dead", "This Ends Now", and the upcoming "One Bad Deed".Kevin is the face behind the Bookstagram account "The First Eleven Minutes", where he reviews, previews, and shouts about the latest crime and thriller releases in his own distinguishable way.You can find out more about Jackie Kabler here:Jackie's website.Jackie's Instagram account.You can find out more about TM Payne here:Tina's Instagram account."Count the Dead" on Amazon."One Bad Deed" on Amazon.You can find out more about Kevin from The First Eleven Minutes here:The First Eleven Minutes Instagram account.

Sean is joined by John Marrs and CJ Grayson.John Marrs is the author of 14 books so far, including he worldwide bestseller which was adapted into a major Netflix series, "The One". His most recent psychological thriller, "Dead in the Water" is available now.CJ Grayson is the author of "The Tees Valley Killings", the crime thriller that marks the start of the DI Max Byrd and DI Orion Tanzy series. He has published 8 books so far including two major series.You can find out more about John Marrs here:John's author Facebook account.John's Instagram account.John's TikTok account.John's website.You can find out more about CJ Grayson here:Chris' author Facebook page.Chris' Instagram account.

Sean is joined by author Hannah Brennan and debut author, EA Jackson.Hannah is the author of "No Safe Place", the first in the Detective Liz Field series. The second novel in the series, "Nothing Left Behind" is out in April 2026.Emily is the debut author of "Missing", the first in the DI Martha Allen series. "Missing" is available now on Audible and will be published in the UK in paperback in 2027.You can find out more about Hannah Brennan here:Hannah's Instagram account.Hannah's website."No Safe Place" on Amazon.Pre-orders for "Nothing Left Behind" on Amazon.You can find out more about EA Jackson here:"Missing" on Amazon.EA Jackson's Instagram account.

In this second episode of season two, Sean is joined by debut authors JD Pennington and Yemi Dipeolu.John Pennington is the author of "The Othello Club", a gripping psychological thriller which has been adapted into "The Revenge Club", and is available to stream now on Paramount+.Yemi Dipeolu is the author of "Kiss Marry Kill", a thriller about love, marriage, and obsession. Yemi blends crime and romance elements in her work, which is an interesting take on crime fiction.You can find out more about JD Pennington here:John's website.You can find out more about Yemi Dipeolu here:Yemi's website.Yemi's Instagram account.

In this second episode of season two, Sean is joined by a true titan of crime fiction: Louise Welsh. She launched her career with an outstanding debut in 2002, has published eleven books, three plays, an opera, edited three volumes of prose and poetry, and contributes to journals and anthologies. She has been nominated for the Orange Prize for Fiction award and has won the Crime Writers’ Association Creasey Dagger for the best first crime novel. She is the Honorary President of the Ullapool Book Festival and an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. As if that’s not enough, she has created one of the most memorable characters in crime fiction: auctioneer and amateur detective, Rilke!Her latest novel, “The Cut Up” was released on 29 January 2026.You can find out more about Louise Welsh here:Louise’s Wikipedia pageLouise's Amazon author pageLouise's Instagram page

In this first episode of season two, Sean is joined by two icons of the crime fiction world: Caroline England and Guy Hale.Caroline is the CWA Short Story Dagger shortlisted author of psychological suspense thrillers "Beneath Her Skin", the best-selling "My Husband's Lies", "Betray Her", "Truth Games", "The Sinner", "The Stranger Beside Me". Her new novel, "Behind Her Smile" was released 3 November 2025. And we’ll hear a little more about that in a second.Guy Hale has been a professional golfer, a rugby player, raced motorcycles, runs a record label, and somehow has found the time to create The Comeback Trail Trilogy and The Shakespeare Murders Series, including "The Croaking Raven", "All Our Yesterdays", "Put Out The Light", and more recently, "Sleep No More" on 11 November 11 2025.You can find out more about Caroline England here:Caroline's website Follow her on XFollow her on FacebookFollow her on InstagramFollow her on TikTokYou can find out more about Guy Hale here:Guy's website Whitefox Publishing websiteGulf Coast Records websiteFollow him on InstagramFollow him on Facebook

Sean introduces the 2025 Christmas Special episode with Chris McDonald (Erika Piper series, the Stonebridge Mysteries, and Little Ghost), Chris also writes as Chris Frost (The Killer's Christmas List and The Christmas Tree Killer).Sean is also joined by Mark Edwards (The Magpie, Follow You Home, The Wasp Trap, and The Christmas Magpie) whose novels have sold over four million copies and have been translated into 12 languages.Rounding off the festive group is Chris Willocks from Serenity Booksellers. Serenity is an independent family-owned bookstore aimed at growing the book-loving community in Romiley, Stockport, Greater Manchester and beyond. They host Noir at the Bookshop and Bar and co-direct Stockport Noir with Christ McDonald.You can find out more about Chris McDonald below:Chris's Amazon author pageChris's DHH Literary Agency pageStockport NoirYou can find out more about Mark Edwards below:Mark Edwards's websiteMark Edwards's Amazon author pageYou can find out more about Chris Willocks and Serenity Booksellers below:Serenity website⁠Stockport Noir⁠

With an introduction from Bloody Scotland Festival Director Bob McDevitt, Sean Watkin is joined by David Goodman (author of A Reluctant Spy and winner of Bloody Scotland's 2025 Debut Prize), Tariq Ashkanani (author of The Midnight King and winner of Bloody Scotland's 2025 McIlvanney Prize), and Marco Rinaldi (author of Dark Waters and the winner of Bloody Scotland's 2025 Pitch Perfect).With discussions ranging from the Scottish crime writing scene, the pressures of success, and the most writer thing in their homes, this episode is packed in with insights and laughs.You can find out more about David Goodman below:David Goodman's website.David Goodman's Instagram.You can find out more about Tariq Ashkanani below:You can find out more about Marco Rinaldi below:Marco Rinaldi's website.Marco Rinaldi's Instagram.Marco Rinaldi's BlueSky.Page One podcast.

Sean Watkin is joined by multi-million selling author, Simon McCleave (DI Ruth Hunter Series), and instant New York Times bestselling author Cara Hunter (Murder in the Family), where they talk about how tiny details bring writing to life - and maybe Sean should be on a lifestyle programme instead of writing crime.You can find out more about Simon McCleave below:Simon McCleave's VIP Club. If you sign up, you can get two free novellas!Simon McCleave's The Snowdownia Killings Amazon page.You can find out more about Cara Hunter below:Cara Hunter's website.Cara Hunter's podcast, Watching the Detectives.

Sean Watkin is joined by Anna Britton (Left in the Ashes), Danielle Devlin (Burnt Offerings), and Sarah Maclennan, programme leader of Creative Writing at Liverpool John Moores University.In the second part of this double-episode, the four discuss crafting that first novel, struggles in writing, building tension, and more!You can find out more about Anna Britton below:Anna Britton's ⁠website⁠You can find out more about Danielle Devlin below:Danielle Devlin's Amazon ⁠author page⁠You can find out more about Sarah Maclennan below:Sarah Maclennan's ⁠LJMU profile

Sean Watkin is joined by Anna Britton (Left in the Ashes), Danielle Devlin (Burnt Offerings), and Sarah Maclennan, programme leader of Creative Writing at Liverpool John Moores University.In this first part of this double-episode, the four discuss crafting that first novel, struggles in writing, building tension, and more!You can find out more about Anna Britton below:Anna Britton's websiteYou can find out more about Danielle Devlin below:Danielle Devlin's Amazon author pageYou can find out more about Sarah Maclennan below:Sarah Maclennan's LJMU profile

Join Sean Watkin as he chats with Daniel Aubrey (Dark Island, The Dying Light), R.S. Burnett (Whiteout) for a chat about their journey to publication, and somehow a conversation about the merits of Alien vs. Aliens. Catherine Yaffe (The Shadow Killer, Catch Me Twice) joins Sean to discuss nature vs. nurture and the importance of that in crime fiction.You can find out more about Daniel Aubrey below:Daniel Aubrey's Amazon author pageThe Orcadian Bookshop where you can buy copies of The Dying LightYou can find out more about RS Burnett below:Whiteout Amazon pageRS Burnett's Instagram accountRS Burnett's X accountYou can find out more about Catherine Yaffe below:Catherine Yaffe's websiteCatherine Yaffe's Instagram account

This week, Sean Watkin is joined by 2025 debut authors Christ Bridges (Sick to Death) and Kingsley Pearson (Flat 401) as they discuss their experiences as new authors on the crime scene from getting an agent to publication day and everything in between.

The Incident Room post cast host, Sean Watkin, is joined by authors Daniel Sellers (Murder in Gallowgate, The Lollipop Man), Linda Mather (Forecast Murder, A Future Murder), and Francesca Riccardi, literary agent from Kate Nash for a conversation including trigger warnings, journeys to publication, and much more!You can find out more about Linda Mather below:Zodiac Murder Mysteries Amazon pageLinda Mather InstagramLinda Mather FacebookYou can find out more about Francesca Riccardi below:Kate Nash Literary Agency website

The Incident Room post cast host, Sean Watkin, is joined by Michael Wood (The Matilda Darke series), Trevor Wood (The Jack Parker series), and Instagram book blogger, Nick_picksbooks.This week's conversation includes celebrity authors, ghostwriting, and more!You can learn more about Trevor Wood here:Trevor Wood website"The Inside Man" Amazon page

The Incident Room post cast host, Sean Watkin, is joined by authors Joanna Dodd (The Summer Dare, She Wants You Gone) and Sam Holland (The Echo Man, The Twenty, The Countdown Killer), and who also writes as Louisa Scarr. Louise Cullen, Executive Publisher of Canelo, joins Sean for a chat about her career so far, her thoughts on the future of crime fiction, and more!You can learn more about Joanna Dodd here:Joanna Dodd websiteThe Summer Dare novelShe Wants You Gone novelYou can learn more about Sam Holland here:Sam Holland websiteThe Countdown Killer novelBroken House novelYou can learn more about Louise Cullen and Canelo using the links below:⁠Louise Cullen Instagram⁠Canelo Publishing websiteCanelo Publishing InstagramCanelo Publishing X

The Incident Room post cast host, Sean Watkin, is joined by authors Heather Critchlow (The Cal Lovett Files) and Sarah Mellor (The Departed), and freelance editor, Rebecca Millar as they discuss crime writing.The conversation includes their work to date, their journey to publication, the importance of finding the right agent, thoughts on trigger warnings in fiction, and much more! You can learn more about Heather Critchlow and her work below:Heather Critchlow websiteHeather Critchlow's booksHeather Critchlow InstagramHeather Critchlow XYou can find out more about Sarah Mellor and her work below:Sarah Mellor InstagramThe Liverpool Literary AgencyHarperCollins/Harper North websiteYou can find out more about Rebecca Millar and her services here:Rebecca Millar websiteRebecca Millar Instagram