In My Good Books

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 yea...

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 sto...

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 friendship...

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...

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 mobilit...

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...

If you’re looking for a book that’s funny, bold, and guaranteed to spark conversation, this episode of  In My Good Books with author Anna Brook-Mitchell is one you won’t want to miss. Anna joins me to talk about her brilliant debut novel  MotherFaker, a story with one of the most outrageous (and irresistible) premises I’ve come across in a long time. It follows Barry Brown, an anti-social teacher...

In this episode of Reading is Political I’m joined by debut novelist Jon Doyle to talk about his new book, Communion. Set in Port Talbot, Communion explores masculinity, working-class identity, faith and community against the backdrop of a town shaped by the decline of the steel industry. Jon shares how his own experiences growing up in Port Talbot influenced the novel, and why the loss of industr...

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by award-winning Scottish author Louise Welsh to discuss her latest novel, The Cut-Up, the long-awaited return to her iconic Rilke series. Louise first introduced readers to Rilke in The Cutting Room, a novel that went on to establish her as one of the most distinctive voices in crime fiction. Now, she’s back with a gripping new instalment and for th...

In this episode of  In My Good Books , I’m delighted to welcome back author Kelly Mullen to celebrate her second novel,  A Murder in Eight Cocktails, a deliciously twisty murder mystery set against the glamorous backdrop of Carmel-by-the-Sea. We talk about the reality of publishing a second book after a successful debut, the pressure of deadlines, and why Kelly found the experience both exhilarati...

In this Reading Is Political episode of In My Good Books, Susie is joined by journalist and author Katie Baskerville to discuss her fascinating new book  Beyond Belief . Using gossip as a lens, Katie explores how women’s voices have historically been dismissed, how social speech shapes relationships and communities, and why the way we talk about gossip matters more than we might think. The convers...

In this episode of  In My Good Books , I’m joined by bestselling author Patrick Gale to discuss his new novel  Love Lane, a story rooted in family history, silence, and the complicated truths we inherit. We explore how Patrick approached writing fiction inspired by real people, particularly his own family, and the emotional and ethical challenges that come with it. From uncovering long-buried secr...

In this episode of  In My Good Books , Susie is joined by book reviewer  Michaela from What Michaela Reads , known online for her honest and often thought-provoking content about the online book community. Michaela posts across  TikTok, YouTube and Instagram , where she’s built a following by sharing candid book reviews, discussing trends in the book world, and diving into some of the more controv...

In this episode of  In My Good Books , Susie welcomes  children’s author Claire Linney , creator of the award-winning  Time Tub Travellers  series for readers aged 8–12. This conversation is part of the  Reading Is Political mini-series , where we explore how books shape empathy, understanding, and the way we see the world. For this episode it felt especially important to include a  children’s aut...

In this episode of  In My Good Books , Susie chats to debut novelist  Samantha Dooey‑Miles  about her brilliantly dark and funny debut,  Under the Hammer . Set in Hamilton in South Lanarkshire, the novel follows Gemma, a woman whose life is falling apart. She’s lost her job, her boyfriend has run off with her best friend, and she can’t afford the rent on her flat. Her only comfort is watching a pr...

In this episode of  In My Good Books , I’m joined by debut crime writer  Rebecca Philipson  to talk about her darkly funny and thought-provoking novel  How to Get Away with Murder . Blending police procedural with biting humour and a sharp feminist perspective, the novel introduces readers to DI Samantha Hansen, a detective navigating complex cases, professional pressures and the darker side of hu...

Welcome to the  first episode of the  Reading Is Political  mini-series on the In My Good Books podcast , where we explore the idea that the books we read, and the stories we tell, are deeply connected to politics, power and the way we understand the world. In this episode, I’m joined by author  Heather Parry , whose novel  Carrion Crow  blends gothic fiction with sharp social commentary. Together...

In this episode of  In My Good Books , Susie is joined by bestselling Irish author  Liz Nugent  to talk about her latest novel,  The Truth About Ruby Cooper . The conversation explores the novel’s central themes of  addiction ,  family dynamics , and personal responsibility, as well as the emotional cost of denial and self-deception. Liz also shares insight into her  writing process , revealing th...

Bestselling author B A Paris joins Susie on In My Good Books , to talk about her latest psychological thriller, When I Kill You. In this author interview, B A Paris shares the inspiration behind the novel and gives a fascinating insight into her writing process. From how she develops memorable characters to the importance of a powerful hook that keeps readers turning pages. We also talk about her...

In this episode of  In My Good Books , I’m joined by Irish author  Charleen Hurtubise  to talk about her powerful novel  Saoirse  . A story of identity, survival, reinvention and the transformative power of art. Charleen shares the inspiration behind  Saoirse , exploring how her protagonist must first survive and then learn how to truly thrive. We talk about what it means to rebuild yourself after...

In this episode  Chris Bridges , bestselling author of  Sick to Death , joins me again to discuss his much-anticipated second novel,  The Deathbed . We dive deep into the writing process, the pressure of following up a successful debut, and what it really feels like when awards recognition is both validating and daunting. Chris shares how living with chronic illness has shaped not only his writing...

In this episode of  In My Good Books , I’m joined by debut author  Matilda Wilding  to discuss her gripping novel  The Waiting List. A story built around moral dilemmas, parenting, and an impossible question:  not who is the murderer… but who will be murdered? The Waiting List  explores the emotional and ethical complexity faced by a new mother whose child desperately needs a heart transplant. As...

In this episode of  In My Good Books , I’m joined by bestselling author  Catriona Ward  to discuss her haunting and new novel  Nowhere Burning . Catriona shares the real-life inspiration behind  Nowhere Burning , the complex family dynamics at its heart, and why horror is so often misunderstood as being purely about gore. We also discuss cults, celebrity culture, loneliness, childhood imagination,...

In this episode of  In My Good Books , I’m joined by bestselling author  Will Dean  to discuss his new psychological thriller,  Adrift . We explore the claustrophobic tension at the heart of this novel, set aboard a narrowboat where isolation, control and family dynamics collide. Will shares how the confined setting becomes a powerful symbol of emotional manipulation and gaslighting, particularly...

In this episode of  In My Good Books , I’m joined by author R.S. Burnett to talk about his new thriller,  Deception Island  ,and the real-life location that inspired the novel. We dig into Rob’s writing process, from extensive research to deep character development, and explore how his background in journalism influences the way he approaches writing a book. He talks openly about the pressures of...