Well, this is exciting. Today we bring you the first in a series of posts featuring Dr Jacky Collins – AKA Dr Noir – in consultation with leading crime fiction authors, and Jacky’s guest in this post is the Irish author Jo Spain. If you’re a reader of crime fiction, you’ll enjoy learning about the thinking behind Jo’s stories and characters, and if you’re a crime author you’ll no doubt be inspired by how she found fame as a writer.

This interview was originally posted in May 2021, around the time of the launch of Jo’s 10th novel, the standalone The Perfect Lie. We reviewed the book at the time and found it to be a twisting and riveting read – not set in Ireland as you might expect, but on Long Island in New York State. Jackie and Jo not only discuss the book but also how Jo became an author, how her earlier career in journalism now feels like killing time until she could become a mystery writer, and how she was a voracious reader of crime novels growing up and dreamed of what it would be like to write one.

Growing up in North Dublin, Jo never believed she could become a writer but her first novel was featured on Richard & Judy Book Club and ever since then she’s written a stream of bestsellers, including her six Tom Reynolds novels. Hopefully this whets your appetite for this fantastic review. We won’t say any more… it’s time to hit play.

Why not grab a copy of The Perfect Lie, or the first Tom Reynolds novel, With Our Blessing?

Thank you to Dr Jacky Collins, academic, crime fiction lover, and founder of the Newcastle Noir festival.