Tell me about your latest book and why we should read it?
In Killer’s Crypt, DI Shona McKenzie finds herself solving her most puzzling case yet. Why would a killer dispose of a body in an ancient Crypt? Why were these victims chosen and what do they have in common? In this fast-paced Scottish Crime Thriller, the body count rises at the same rate as the temperature, and the police find themselves in a giddy chase to catch a ruthless killer.
Where the book is unique is that you get to see inside the mind of the killer and learn about the killer and what led to them killing in the first place.
Despite being part of the Tartan Noir Genre, the book is also humorous and gives a flavour of Dundee’s dark side. Light and dark in one high action tale.
If someone was to write your life story what would the title be?
From Army Major to a Life of Crime
What’s the strangest fan question or request you’ve received?
On the whole, my fans are fairly well behaved. I do get asked if my books are autobiographical. Considering I write about serial killers I can assure you the answer is a very definite no.
If you could co-write with anyone in the world (alive or dead) who would it be?
It would have to be Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, fellow Scot and one of the greatest writers of detective fiction ever known. If I could have one who is alive as well, it would have to be Kathy Reichs, a total legend in crime writing
Tell me something nobody else knows about you (yet!).
I’m pretty much an open book. However, the one thing no one knows about me is that I have read the odd Mills and Boon novel. I can’t believe I am saying this in a blog post. Especially one about being a crime writer.
Finally please recommend 3 books that you have recently read and tell me why you’ve chosen these.
Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory. Outstanding novel about the lives of Katherine, Margaret and Mary who become the Queens of England, Scotland and France.
The darkest Goodbye by Alex Gray. From the killer first line to the last word, this book had me on the edge of my seat. Alex Gray is one of Scotland’s finest storytellers.
Murderabilia by Craig Robertson. Longlisted for several awards I can understand why. The tag line is, ‘Everyone has a hobby. Some people collect death. Who could resist a tagline like that. Another book which had me hooked from the first line.
Who is Wendy H Jones?
Wendy H. Jones lives in Scotland, and her police procedural series featuring Detective Inspector Shona McKenzie, is set in the beautiful city of Dundee, Scotland. Wendy has led a varied and adventurous life. Her love for adventure led to her joining the Royal Navy to undertake nurse training. After six years in the Navy she joined the Army where she served as an Officer for a further 17 years. This took her all over the world including Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. Much of her spare time is now spent travelling around the UK, and lands much further afield. As well as nursing Wendy also worked for many years in Academia. This led to publication in academic textbooks and journals. Killer’s Countdown is her first novel and the first book in the Shona McKenzie Mystery series. There are now five books in this series.The Dagger’s Curse is the first book in The Fergus and Flora Mysteries for Young Adults.
