I'm back at my writing desk!

It’s been a while since I last published a new novel - December 2022, to be precise.

If you’ve been wondering whether I’ve disappeared, the answer is no. I’ve been working quietly behind the scenes. Over the past few months, I’ve taken the opportunity to step back and strengthen the foundations of my author business. Some of that work isn’t very glamorous, but it matters.

Here’s what I’ve been doing:

• Updating the back matter in all my books
  
• Reviewing and optimising keywords and categories
• Creating a structured 2026 work schedule
• Designing a proper marketing plan for my backlist
• Moving my email list over to Substack and setting up a new home there
  

All of that groundwork is now in place. Which means I can return to what I love most: writing.

I’m now diving back into Unlocked Lies. There’s still a great deal to do - drafting, tightening, deepening character arcs, sharpening the tension — but it feels good to be back at the desk with a clear plan. I’m looking forward to sharing more as the year unfolds.

In the meantime, here’s a reminder of what Unlocked Lies is about:

Deep in the wilds of Northumbria, two babies lie starving and abandoned in the cellar of a derelict farmhouse. Upstairs is the body of the brutally murdered homeowner, William Mostyn. The only clue is a bracelet inscribed: ‘Mariah—mine forever.’ Despite a massive police investigation, the babies’ identities and their connection to the dead victim remain a mystery. 

Years later, Lottie Ryan is all grown-up and seeking answers. Who dumped Lottie and her brother Gabe in that cellar? Was Mariah their biological mother, and did she kill William Mostyn? 

As Lottie delves deeper into a twisted web of lies, she realises that the enigmatic Mariah holds the key to unlocking the truth. Mariah is long gone, however, taking her secrets with her. Can Lottie ever uncover what happened that fateful night?

A gripping novel of obsession and deceit, Unlocked Lies unravels the mystery that has darkened two women’s lives for decades. 

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