Caz Frear grew up in Coventry and spent her teenage years dreaming of moving to London and writing a novel. After fulfilling her first dream, it wasn't until she moved back to Coventry thirteen years later that the writing dream finally came true.
She has a first-class degree in History & Politics, which she's put to enormous use over the years by working as a waitress, shop assistant, retail merchandiser and, for the past twelve years, a headhunter.
When she's not agonising over snappy dialogue or incisive prose, she can be found shouting at the TV when Arsenal are playing or holding court in the pub on topics she knows nothing about.
She has a first-class degree in History & Politics, which she's put to enormous use over the years by working as a waitress, shop assistant, retail merchandiser and, for the past twelve years, a headhunter.
When she's not agonising over snappy dialogue or incisive prose, she can be found shouting at the TV when Arsenal are playing or holding court in the pub on topics she knows nothing about.
Genres: Mystery
Caz Frear recommends

Sticks and Stones (2018)
Jo Jakeman
"Sticks and Stones is a gem of a debut with a unique premise, tightly-crafted plot and believable characters who get under your skin from the start. Incredibly well-observed and sensitive in its handling of difficult subjects, it is, above all, thoroughly entertaining. Highly recommended!"

Mine (2018)
J L Butler
"Fiendishly plotted and perfectly paced, MINE is a thrilling exploration of obsession, love, professional duty and personal trauma. Few books are worthy of a 4am finish, MINE is definitely one of them."

Do No Harm (2018)
L V Hay
"From the cover to the title to the set-up to the ending, this will wrong-foot you in ALL the best ways."

The Secrets You Hide (2018)
Kate Helm
"There aren't enough adjectives to describe how much I loved The Secrets You Hide, but after careful consideration, I'll go with brilliant, original and shocking."

Blood & Sugar (2019)
Laura Shepherd-Robinson
"Every colour, sound and smell of 1780s Deptford flew off the page and the depth of the characters, without exception, was extraordinary."

She Lies in Wait (2019)
(DCI Jonah Sheens, book 1)
Gytha Lodge
"She Lies in Wait delivers on just about every level - a killer premise, an absorbing plot that twists and turns at just the right pace, and in DCI Jonah Sheens a lead detective who has hit the page fully-formed and instantly likeable. One to watch!"

To Catch a Killer (2019)
Emma Kavanagh
"Wow. Whether you like fast-paced thrillers or in-depth (spot-on) character-led mysteries, you're going to love To Catch a Killer by Emma Kavanagh. LOVED it."

Dirty Little Secrets (2019)
Jo Spain
"Wonderfully drawn characters and more secrets and motives than you can shake a stick at. Loved, loved, loved."

The Killer in Me (2019)
(Frankie Sheehan, book 2)
Olivia Kiernan
"'Such sharp, clean writing and so atmospheric."

The Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox (2019)
(Josephine Fox, book 1)
Claire Gradidge
"The Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox was a complete delight. The story sings with authenticity and I found myself transported to 1940s Romsey from the very first page. 'Josy' is very much a woman ahead of her time and her voice brings heart, and often humour, to what is essentially a very dark mystery."

Grace is Gone (2020)
Emily Elgar
"Chilling and compassionate in equal measure, Grace is Gone is an emotionally-charged thriller that kept me reading long into the night. While undoubtedly a superior suspense novel, Elgar also excels in laying bare the often fragile bonds of supposedly close-knit communities. When the ending comes, be prepared to pick your jaw up off the floor."

Our Dark Secret (2020)
Jenny Quintana
"Jenny Quintana is a rare talent . . . Superb plotting, razor-sharp characterisation, and a creeping sense of dread makes Our Dark Secret a novel that you won’t be able to put down."

The Catch (2020)
T M Logan
"T.M. Logan's best yet. Fully delivers on its killer premise. Unsettling and so, so entertaining. The perfect thriller."

The Push (2020)
Claire McGowan
"I haven’t flown though a book so quickly in a very long time. It delivers on single every level."

Greenwich Park (2021)
Katherine Faulkner
"One of the best debuts I've read in a long time... Intelligently plotted, with several completely unexpected gut-punches along the way, Greenwich Park is both a psychologically complex and hugely entertaining novel - in short, the perfect thriller."

You Will Remember Me (2021)
Hannah Mary McKinnon
"With You Will Remember Me, Hannah Mary McKinnon becomes one of my go-to authors for bold, thought-provoking and wildly entertaining thrillers. From the stunning opening until the shocking ending, I was wholly immersed in the world of Jack, Lily and Maya--three psychologically complex characters who form the beating heart of this powerful novel. Dark, unsettling, and with an intelligently crafted plot that shows such care and respect for the reader, You Will Remember Me is the perfect one-sitting read."

56 Days (2021)
Catherine Ryan Howard
"Magnificent. A high-concept thriller executed with panache and heaps of emotion."

Blood Sugar (2022)
Sascha Rothchild
"When a multiple murderer is your new fantasy best friend, you know you've just read something very special indeed. BLOOD SUGAR had me glued from the very first page with its masterful storytelling and whip-smart characterisation. Darkly comic, surprisingly tender, and most of all, hugely entertaining. A 2022 must-read!"

Tell Me Your Lies (2022)
Kate Ruby
"Superbly dark and glittering with menace, Tell Me Your Lies is not only an absolute gift of a thriller, but a sharp, unflinching take on the long-term consequences of buried trauma and shame."

Truly, Darkly, Deeply (2022)
Victoria Selman
"Truly, Darkly, Deeply is such a clever, immersive crime novel, and like nothing I've ever read before. I lived every unbearably tense second of Sophie's powerful story, unable to put the book down. It's only January and this could well be my book of the year!"

Squeaky Clean (2023)
Callum McSorley
"An absolute knockout of a debut! Pitch-dark and yet dripping with warmth, Squeaky Clean is a truly fresh take on the classic thriller. Packed with brilliantly drawn characters, laugh-out-loud humour, and lots of blood - what's not to love? Can't wait to see what my new favourite detective does next."
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