In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by bestselling author Alexandra Potter to talk about her latest novel, So I Met This Guy , a smart, funny and deeply moving story about heartbreak, reinvention and the power of female friendship.

Alexandra shares the surprising inspiration behind the story and we also talk about Alexandra’s love of writing character-driven fiction, particularly stories that centre female friendships and intergenerational relationships.

This conversation is a thoughtful and empowering look at writing women who don’t wait to be rescued, the care that goes into naming characters, and why stories about starting over matter - especially in midlife.

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by crime writer Sean Watkin to talk about his dark, character-driven police procedural Better Off Dead, the second novel in his DCI de Silva series.

Sean chats about his writing journey, including the surprising fact that Better Off Dead originally began life as a horror novel before a tutor encouraged him to try crime fiction – a change that completely transformed his career. We discuss how that shift helped him find his voice and why crime was the perfect space for the kind of stories he wanted to tell.

We also dig into character development, particularly the complex dynamic between De Silva and Barclay, and how Sean draws on personal experiences to explore themes of trauma, grief and mental health. Representation is a huge part of the conversation too, with Sean sharing why it was important to him to write a gay character whose identity goes far beyond their sexuality, and how he approaches LGBTQ representation with care and authenticity.

Sean also talks about the realities of writing a police procedural, from the importance of research and realism to the challenges of writing a trilogy, as well as the personal significance behind character names. We finish by chatting about podcasting, his own show The Incident Room, and what’s coming next.

If you love crime fiction with emotional depth, flawed characters and a strong sense of place, this episode is for you.

Follow Sean here: https://www.instagram.com/seanwatkinauthor/

Listen to The Incident Room here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-incident-room/id1836965354

Buy Better Off Dead here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/better-off-dead-an-unmissable-liverpool-set-police-procedural-novel-from-a-rising-star-in-crime-thriller-fiction-sean-watkin/7015347539842697?ean=9781835981320&next=t

Books recommended in this series:

The Matilda Darke series by Michael Wood

The Sheridan Holler series by T.M. Payne

The Death Bed by Chris Bridges

In this episode of In My Good Books, Susie is joined by debut novelist Silvia Saunders to talk about her beautifully observed first novel, Homesick. Set during the uncertain years of early adulthood, the book explores friendship, love, jealousy and mental health through the eyes of Mara, a librarian trying to navigate adulthood while living with her childhood best friend.

Silvia discusses how Homesick captures that messy in-between stage of life where nothing feels settled. The novel examines what happens when long-standing friendships are tested, particularly when money, grief and unspoken resentment enter the picture. When Mara unexpectedly receives a financial windfall following her father’s death, it creates emotional ripples that force her to reassess her relationships and her sense of self.

The conversation also delves into Silvia’s writing journey, including the years she spent continuing to write despite rejections and setbacks. She shares how winning the Comedy Women in Print Unpublished Prize proved to be a turning point, not only validating the work but giving her the confidence to follow up with agents who were yet to read the manuscript — ultimately leading to representation and publication.

Throughout the episode, Silvia speaks candidly about balancing humour with serious themes, the importance of authenticity on the page, and how vital the writing community has been to her development as an author. She also shares book recommendations that have inspired her along the way, celebrating the joy of reading and the connections it creates.

You can find Silvia here: https://www.instagram.com/silvsaunders/

You can buy Homesick here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/homesick-silvia-saunders/7730365?ean=9780008667047&next=t

Books recommended in this episode:

Black Milk by Elif Shafak

My Work by Olga Ravn

Palava by Brian Washington

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by bestselling author and former police detective Caroline Mitchell to talk about her remarkable writing career and her latest psychological thriller, The Ice Angels.

Caroline has published an astonishing 23 novels since leaving the police, and in this conversation she shares how her background in law enforcement shapes her crime writing, from authentic investigative detail to the emotional realities behind the cases. We discuss her writing process, including her hybrid approach to plotting, and why strong character development sits at the heart of everything she writes.

We also talk about the challenges of the publishing journey, the importance of resilience, and why writing has been such a therapeutic outlet for Caroline after her time in the police. She offers honest and encouraging author advice, especially for writers facing rejection or self-doubt, and explains why simply refusing to give up has been key to her success.

A must-listen for fans of psychological thrillers, crime writing, and anyone curious about what it really takes to build a long-term writing career.

You can find Caroline here: https://www.instagram.com/caroline_writes/

You can buy The Ice Angels here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-ice-angels-caroline-mitchell/7869999?ean=9781804955284&next=t

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by bestselling author Laura Pearson to talk about her latest novel, What Happened That Summer.

We discuss the inspiration behind What Happened That Summer, including how the idea came to Laura unexpectedly while travelling, and why she knew this was a story she had to tell. Laura also explains the unique podcast-style format used in the novel and how it allowed her to explore character, memory and truth in a fresh and engaging way.

Laura shares her publishing journey, including what it was like to secure an eight-book deal, how flexibility from her publisher has given her the freedom to experiment across genres, and the challenges she’s faced along the way. We talk in depth about character development, how Laura decides when an idea is strong enough to become a full novel, and why writing what excites her remains central to her process.

We also touch on Laura’s future projects, the books that have inspired her as a writer, and why she loves exploring emotional depth through contemporary fiction. If you’re interested in writing inspiration, the realities of the publishing journey, or discovering your next great read, this episode is for you.

What Happened That Summer by Laura Pearson is out now: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/rollercoaster-brand-new-from-laura-pearson-author-of-the-number-one-sensation-the-last-list-of-mabel-beaumont-laura-pearson/0964676e78a5aded?ean=9781836034872&next=t

Books recommended in this episode:

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Five by Ilona Bannister

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by novelist Carole Hailey to talk about her gripping debut novel, Scenes From A Tragedy.

We discuss how Carole was drawn to writing about a devastating plane crash in the Lake District and how her background in law shaped the way she approached research, investigation and storytelling. Carole shares her fascination with exploring the aftermath of tragedy rather than the moment itself, and how the ripple effects of loss can be just as compelling as the event.

One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation is Carole’s decision to write about psychopaths who aren’t murderers - the people we work with, live with and sometimes love, and how that choice adds an unsettling realism to the novel.

Carole also offers brilliant advice for writers, particularly around the idea of “writing what you don’t know”, and how curiosity, research and empathy can help bring unfamiliar worlds convincingly to the page.

You can find Carole here: https://www.instagram.com/carolehaileyx/

You can buy Scenes From A Tragedy here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/scenes-from-a-tragedy-carole-hailey/a713f711130c9596?ean=9781805461562&next=t

Books recommended in this episode:

Biography of X by Katherine Lacey

True Crime Story by Joseph Knox

In this episode of In My Good Books, I’m joined by award-winning author D.V. Bishop to talk about his brilliant historical crime series set in Renaissance Italy. We explore the world of Cesare Aldo, a crime investigator navigating a corrupt justice system while living as a gay man in a deeply repressive society.

David shares how his fascination with historical criminal justice led to the creation of the series, and why Carnival of Lies feels like such a pivotal novel. We talk in depth about character development, including the moral complexity of Aldo himself and the intrigue added by the Contessa, one of the most compelling characters in the series.

One of the most fascinating parts of the conversation is David’s honesty about the writing journey - including the fact that his first book was 20 years in the making. He offers thoughtful and practical writing tips for anyone thinking about starting their first novel, from the importance of finishing a draft to knowing your genre and being a voracious reader.

Whether you love historical fiction, are already a fan of the Cesare Aldo series, or are looking for encouragement and advice on creative writing, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration and brilliant book recommendations.

You can find out more about David here: https://www.instagram.com/cesarealdo/

You can purchase Carnival of Lies here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/carnival-of-lies-d-v-bishop/7709825?ean=9781035041961&next=t

Books recommended in this episode:

Staring at Craft by Ursula La Guin

Refuse to be done by Matt Bell

On Writing by Stephen King

Into The Woods by John York

Spider Spider by LC Winter

The Wise Witch of Orkney by Anna Caig

What happens when two book podcasters try to narrow the entire publishing world down to just ten books? In this episode, Susie is joined by Philippa Hall, host of the hugely influential Quick Book Reviews podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation about podcasting, books, and the power of the bookish community.

Together, Susie and Philippa reflect on the realities of creating book content - from the joy and connection it brings, to the moments when motivation wobbles and feedback feels overwhelming. They talk candidly about how community support, book festivals and conversations with fellow readers can reignite a love of books and podcasting when things feel tough.

At the heart of the episode is the challenge: choosing ten books that readers need to know about in 2026. Expect excitement, difficult decisions, and a deep dive into the wide range of genres and themes set to dominate upcoming releases.

If you love book recommendations, behind-the-scenes podcast chat, and thoughtful discussion about reading and writing, this episode is for you.

Find Philippa Here: https://www.instagram.com/quick_book_reviews/

All of the books recommended in this episode:

Body of Lies — Jo Callaghan
The Truth About Ruby Cooper — Liz Nugent
Strange Buildings — Yuketsu
John of John — Douglas Stuart
A Deadly Episode — Anthony Horowitz
Everything She Didn’t Say — Jane Casey
James Bond and the Secret Agency Academy — M.W. Craven
Raveheart — Graeme Armstrong
Land — Maggie O’Farrell
Dissection of a Murder — Jo Murray
Heartstopper: Volume 6 — Alice Oseman
Yesteryear — Caro Claire Burke
Eddie Flynn Book 10 — Steve Cavanagh
Adrift — Will Dean
Hollow Bones — Jodi Picoult
Nowhere Burning — Cat Ward
How to Lay an Egg with a Horse Inside — Brian Bilston
Warning Signs — Tracy Sierra