In this episode of In My Good Books, Susie chats with Sam Frances, crime writer and author of One By One. Drawing on her real-life experience in policing, Sam brings authenticity and humour to her writing - and to her detective, DS Alice Washington, a millennial police officer juggling professional pressures and personal challenges.
Set against the backdrop of a music festival and a rock band’s chaotic reunion, One By One explores ambition, loyalty, and the fine line between justice and truth. Sam talks about crafting believable female detectives, the influence of her career on her storytelling, and the importance of editing, feedback, and perseverance on the road to publication.
The conversation also touches on how she finds lightness in dark stories, her favourite crime writers, and what’s next for DS Alice Washington.
If you love character-driven crime fiction, music-infused mysteries, and stories that blend grit with humour, this episode is not to be missed.
You can buy One By One Here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/one-by-one-a-completely-unputdownable-crime-thriller-sam-frances/7928359?ean=9781035418442&next=t
Books recommended in this episode:
Wet Paint by Chloe Ashby: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/wet-paint-a-blistering-story-stylist-chloe-ashby/7277891?ean=9781398703001&next=t
Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/three-hours-rosamund-lupton/6951161?ean=9780241374511&next=t
The Last Party by Clare Mackintosh: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-last-party-clare-mackintosh/7384284?ean=9780751577136&next=t