In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by Elizabeth Arnott, author of The Secret Lives of Murderers’ Wives, a bold, character-driven crime novel that flips the traditional serial killer narrative on its head.

Some readers may already know Elizabeth as Lizzie Pook, acclaimed for her atmospheric historical fiction. In this conversation, she shares what inspired her shift into crime writing, and how a deeply personal experience led her to create a story that feels both empowering and unexpectedly fun. 

The conversation also explores our long-standing cultural fascination with true crime, from public executions to modern documentaries, and why these stories continue to grip us.

Find Elizabeth here: https://www.instagram.com/elizabetharnottwrites/

Buy The Secret Lives of Murderer's Wives: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-secret-lives-of-murderers-wives-elizabeth-arnott/0afcec091c1327ff?ean=9780241733622&next=t

Books recommended in this episode:

The Wedding People: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-wedding-people-the-hilarious-and-moving-million-copy-bestseller-alison-espach/879f21fa6a0d5e2d?ean=9781399622752&next=t

Notes on an Execution: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/notes-on-an-execution-the-bestselling-thriller-that-everyone-is-talking-about-danya-kukafka/6daee1c8b6373e8b?ean=9781474625975&next=t

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by debut author Charlotte Robinson to talk about her brilliantly ambitious sci-fi thriller Mars One.

Blending high-stakes space exploration with the dark side of reality TV, Mars One imagines a one-way mission to Mars funded by a televised spectacle - where the line between entertainment and ethics becomes dangerously blurred. Charlotte shares the inspiration behind the novel, including the real-life Mars One project, and how that initial idea grew into a multi-stranded, globe-spanning story.

Charlotte also talks about her background working on major TV dramas and how that experience shaped her storytelling, from visual scene-setting to structuring complex plots. We chat about the differences between writing for screen and page, the challenges of writing solo versus in a writers’ room, and why her walls were covered in colour-coded Post-it notes while plotting this novel.

Plus, we get into the research behind the book (including some brilliant space facts), her journey to publication, and what readers can expect from her next project.

Find Charlotte here: https://www.instagram.com/bycharlotterobinson/

Buy Mars One: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/mars-one-charlotte-robinson/7961777?ean=9780857507341&next=t

Books Recommended in this episode:

Carrying the Fire: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/carrying-the-fire-an-astronaut-s-journeys-michael-collins/839160?ean=9781509896578&next=t

Outlaw Ocean: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-outlaw-ocean-crime-and-survival-in-the-last-untamed-frontier-ian-urbina/1236722?ean=9781529111392&next=t

The Book of Strange New Things: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-book-of-strange-new-things-michel-faber/768960?ean=9781782114086&next=t

Katabasis: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/katabasis-r-f-kuang/14b1f7ed1933fafe?ean=9780008501860&next=t

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by debut author Stephanie Bramwell-Lawes to talk about her gothic historical novel Thornby Manor.

Stephanie takes us inside the haunting world of Thornby Manor, a mist-shrouded house filled with secrets, where nothing is quite as it seems. We discuss her love of gothic fiction and the classic influences behind the novel, from Jane Eyre to Rebecca, and how setting can become a character in its own right.

We also dive into the fascinating and disturbing historical context behind the book, including the treatment of women in Victorian England and how easily people, particularly women, could be institutionalised and silenced. Stephanie shares the real-life cases that inspired her story and how history shaped her protagonist, Briar.

As someone who has worked in publishing for over 16 years, Stephanie gives an honest and eye-opening insight into what it’s really like trying to get published - even when you’re already in the industry.

We also chat about balancing writing with a full-time job, the realities of being on submission, and what’s next for Stephanie as she begins work on her second novel.

If you love gothic fiction, historical mysteries, and behind-the-scenes insights into the publishing world, this is an episode for you.

Find Stephanie here: https://www.instagram.com/bramwelllawes/

Buy Thornby Manor here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/thornby-manor-the-spellbinding-intoxicating-new-debut-historical-mystery-stephanie-bramwell-lawes/6b30e6b7752a8d62?ean=9781917764124&next=t

Books recommended in this episode:

Falling Angels: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/falling-angels-tracy-chevalier/232392?ean=9780007217236&next=t

Life After Life: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/life-after-life-the-global-bestseller-now-a-major-bbc-series-kate-atkinson/ba956f364de24820?ean=9780552776639&next=t

The Show Woman: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-show-woman-an-incredibly-gripping-moving-and-inspiring-historical-page-turner-emma-cowing/0e4c75568e3860b3?ean=9781399737395&next=t

The Pleasure Palace: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-pleasure-palace-gripping-and-unforgettable-historical-fiction-from-the-acclaimed-author-of-the-show-woman-emma-cowing/2cfe3e9adf35f7f8?ean=9781399737449&next=t

If you’re looking for a crime novel that goes beyond the mystery, this episode of In My Good Books with bestselling author Jane Harper is an absolute must-listen.

Jane joined me to talk about her latest novel, Last One Out, a powerful and atmospheric story that explores grief, community, and the long shadow of loss. At the heart of the novel is Ro, a mother who returns to her hometown each year on the anniversary of her son’s disappearance.

In this conversation, we dive into Jane’s fascination with what happens after the central event in a crime novel. Rather than focusing solely on the moment of drama, she’s drawn to the emotional aftermath — how people live with what’s happened, how communities shift, and how grief reshapes relationships over time.

Plus, for anyone interested in the craft of writing, Jane opens up about her plotting process — how she structures her novels, balances tension with emotional depth, and keeps readers hooked from beginning to end.

If you love crime fiction with heart, rich atmosphere, and complex characters, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and brilliant book chat.

Find Jane here: https://www.instagram.com/janeharperauthor/

Buy Last One Out: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/jane-harper-book-6-jane-harper/7832199?ean=9781035033973&next=t

Books recommended in this episode:

Mad Mabel: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/mad-mabel-sally-hepworth/7971068?ean=9781035096176&next=t

The Hiding Place: https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-Place-Kate-Mildenhall-ebook/dp/B0FCSR4NX9

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by author Erin White to discuss her debut novel Like Family, a beautiful story about friendship, family, and what it really means to reach midlife.

We talk about why Erin describes the book as a “coming of middle age” novel, and how this often-overlooked life stage can be just as transformative and turbulent as adolescence. At the heart of the story are three interconnected couples whose lives are bound together through friendship, family ties, and shared history, all set against the backdrop of a small rural community.

Find Erin here: https://www.instagram.com/erinowhite/

Buy Life Family: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/like-family-erin-white/7981603?ean=9781805229155&next=t

Books recommended in this episode:

Returns and Exchanges: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/returns-and-exchanges-kayla-rae-whitaker/c0548589ebe6c295?ean=9781917189026&next=t

The Bell: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-bell-iris-murdoch/3829885?ean=9780099470489&next=t

If you’re looking for a book about friendship, identity and what life really looks like between your 20's and your 40s, this episode of In My Good Books with Angela Flournoy is one you won’t want to miss.

Angela joined me on the podcast to talk about her brilliant novel The Wilderness, which follows four Black women as they move from their 20s into their 40s, navigating shifting friendships, class, politics and the realities of modern life.

We also got into how The Wilderness reflects contemporary life, from social media to political divisions, and why that has sparked different reactions from readers in the US. Angela talks openly about the criticism she’s faced for including so much of the present day in her work, and why she felt it was important to keep the story grounded in the world we’re actually living in.

Alongside all of that, we discussed class, identity, and the importance of friendship as a kind of chosen family – especially during periods of change and uncertainty.

Find Angela here: https://www.instagram.com/angelaflournoy/

Buy The Wilderness: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-wilderness-angela-flournoy/93de185ec182f0f9?ean=9780857309525&next=t

Books recommended in this episode:

Lightbreakers: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/lightbreakers-aja-gabel/7900173?ean=9780349725437&next=t

Loved & Missed: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/loved-and-missed-susie-boyt/4957456?ean=9780349015033&next=t

If you’re looking for a brilliant mix of book recommendations, honest chat about reading habits, and a behind-the-scenes look at book podcasting, this episode of In My Good Books is such a fun listen.

I’m joined by Hannah from A Pair of Bookends podcast, and we talk about her journey as a reader, from childhood shopping trips with her nana to building a podcast and community around books.

We get into how those early experiences shaped her love of reading, why escapism still plays such a big role in her life, and how she’s managed to keep reading a priority even alongside a busy schedule.

Hannah also shares some of her funniest podcasting disasters (and there are a few!), giving a really honest insight into what goes on behind the scenes when you’re creating content and putting yourself out there.

Of course, there are plenty of book recommendations too. From childhood favourites like Jacqueline Wilson to the emotionally rich novels of Jodi Picoult, Hannah talks about how her reading taste has evolved over time. And if you’re looking for a strong recommendation, she makes a very convincing case for picking up anything by Emma Hinds.

If you enjoy author interviews, book recommendations, and conversations about the reading life, this episode of In My Good Books is definitely one to add to your list.

Find A Pair of Bookends podcast here: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=5580f967-4286-449f-b5ea-75159f45f286

Books recommended in this episode:

My Women: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/my-women-yuliia-iliukha/41761dba4eecda9e?ean=9781917378284&next=t

Female, Nude: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/female-nude-the-smouldering-and-propulsive-new-literary-read-for-2026-rhiannon-lucy-cosslett/f34d2575d5926d34?ean=9781035413812&next=t

Minbak: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/minbak-ela-lee/7901404?ean=9781787303683&next=t

The Wreck: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-wreck-lizzy-stewart/7923882?ean=9781787335318&next=t

The Knowing: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-knowing-an-intoxicating-gothic-historical-fiction-debut-emma-hinds/ac52ac98d2434f47?ean=9781915798145&next=t

The Quick & The Dead: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-quick-and-the-dead-emma-hinds/7741316?ean=9781915798916&next=t

If you love crime fiction that makes you think as much as it thrills, this episode of In My Good Books with author Kia Abdullah is a must-listen.

Kia joins me to talk about her powerful new novel What Happens in the Dark, a crime thriller that explores violence against women, class, race, and who gets to be heard.

Beyond the novel, this episode explores wider themes around class, social mobility, and how our backgrounds shape both opportunity and perception — particularly within the justice system. Kia also reflects on representation in literature, the power of storytelling, and why all books can be political, even when they don’t seem it on the surface.

We also talk about the role books can play in driving real-world change, with a powerful discussion around Grenfell and the importance of telling stories that hold systems to account.

Plus, Kia shares a brilliant selection of book recommendations, from life-changing childhood reads to thought-provoking nonfiction and comforting favourites.

Find Kia here: https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/

Buy Kia's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/what-happens-in-the-dark-kia-abdullah/7751475?ean=9780008570064&next=t

If you love crime fiction that makes you think as much as it thrills, this episode of In My Good Books with author Kia Abdullah is a must-listen.

Kia joins me to talk about her powerful new novel What Happens in the Dark , a crime thriller that explores violence against women, class, race, and who gets to be heard. At the centre of the story is Safa Saleem, a journalist investigating a suspicious death that forces her to confront her past, her friendships, and the uncomfortable truths society often ignores.

Beyond the novel, this episode explores wider themes around class, social mobility, and how our backgrounds shape both opportunity and perception, particularly within the justice system. Kia also reflects on representation in literature, the power of storytelling, and why all books can be political, even when they don’t seem it on the surface.

Plus, Kia shares a brilliant selection of book recommendations, from life-changing childhood reads to thought-provoking nonfiction and comforting favourites.

Find Kia here: https://www.instagram.com/kiaabdullah/

Buy What Happens In The Dark here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/what-happens-in-the-dark-kia-abdullah/7751475?ean=9780008570026&next=t

Books recommended in this episode:

Anne of Green Gables: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/anne-of-green-gables-l-m-montgomery/302640?ean=9780241734186&next=t

Demon Copperhead: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/demon-copperhead-longlisted-for-the-women-s-prize-for-fiction-2023-barbara-kingsolver/7425554?ean=9780571376483&next=t

From Sylhet to Spitalfields: https://uk.bookshop.org/beta-search?keywords=from+sillet+to+spitalfields

Show Me The Bodies: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/show-me-the-bodies-how-we-let-grenfell-happen-peter-apps/7118230?ean=9780861546152&next=t

The Time Travellers Wife: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-time-traveler-s-wife-audrey-niffenegger/fd0014f0bccba8c4?ean=9780099464464&next=t

Less: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/less-andrew-sean-greer/5366775?ean=9780349143590&next=t

Down Under: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/down-under-travels-in-a-sunburned-country-bill-bryson/1935939?ean=9781784161835&next=t

If you’re looking for a brilliant new book that blends thriller and romance in a completely fresh way, this episode of In My Good Books with Tiffany Crum is one you won’t want to miss.

Tiffany joins me to talk about her debut novel This Story Might Save Your Life, an instant New York Times bestseller that mixes a gripping missing person mystery with a love story at its heart—and even features a fictional podcast woven through the narrative.

We chat about the inspiration behind this genre-blending thriller romance, where the idea first came from, and why she wanted to write a story that combined the emotional pull of a love story with the pace and tension of a thriller. Tiffany also shares how she built the structure of the novel, including the dual timelines and the podcast element, and why creating something original was one of the biggest challenges.

One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation is Tiffany’s journey to publication. While she may look like an “overnight success,” she spent nearly two decades writing, learning her craft, and facing rejection before finally breaking through. We talk about what kept her going through those years, how she handled setbacks—including being dropped by her agent—and why everything changed when she decided to write the book she truly wanted to read.

We also discuss the realities of the publishing industry, genre expectations, and why blending genres can be both exciting and challenging when it comes to marketing a book.

Find Tiffany here: https://www.instagram.com/bytiffanycrum/

Buy This Story Might Save Your Life: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/this-story-might-save-your-life-a-stunning-thriller-with-the-heart-of-a-romance-the-book-club-novel-for-2026-tiffany-crum/c8e124cc1df4793c?ean=9781399744683&next=t

Books recommended in this episode:

Before I Forget: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781250276797?gC=5a105e8b&gad_campaignid=20226739100

My Husband's Wife: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/my-husband-s-wife-the-instant-sunday-times-bestseller-from-the-author-of-beautiful-ugly-and-his-hers-alice-feeney/f8dceb130bd55e55?ean=9781035083008&next=t