Jo Spain is vice-chair of business body InterTrade Ireland and a parliamentary assistant in Leinster House. Her first novel With our Blessing is published by Quercus, London and was one of seven books shortlisted in the Richard and Judy search for a bestseller competition 2014. The book is based on the investigations of a Dublin-based detective team led by Tom Reynolds. It was launched in Ireland in September 2015 and became a top-ten bestseller that month. It will be launched in Britain in 2016 and the rights have been snapped up in Germany. She has received rave reviews from Martin Sixsmith (author of Philomena) and Sinead Crowley (Can anybody help me?) as well as in leading media and blogs. Jo lives in Dublin with her husband and their four young children.
The Silent Ones (2025) (Mary Shea Murders, book 1) Anna McPartlin "Harrowing, suspenseful and authentic... a writer at the top of her game."
The Ghostwriter (2025) Julie Clark "Beautifully written, utterly immersive and completely thrilling. A surefire hit."
There Came A-Tapping (2025) Andrea Carter "A sublime new standalone from a gifted writer. Scary and thrilling in equal nature, I was obsessed with finishing this book. A must read."
Five Bad Deeds (2023) Caz Frear "Layered characters, gut-punching twists and beautifully written. This is addictive reading from Caz."
Freeze (2023) Kate Simants "Superb. Utterly claustrophobic and chilling, the perfect icy read."
Dirt (2023) (Jonny Murphy Files, book 1) Sarah Sultoon "A powerhouse writer."
A Stranger on Board (2022) Cameron Ward "A fabulous, action-packed adventure. The superyacht is a genius premise and, mixed with Sarah's grit, it was an absolute joy to read."
The Rose Garden (2021) Tracy Rees "A rich historical drama that is both a subtle study of the treatment of women and an entertaining escape. Pure joy."
56 Days (2021) Catherine Ryan Howard "Catherine Ryan Howard has become my go-to writer for utterly absorbing, original stories with a killer twist and 56 Days delivers all this and more. If you read one thriller that captures the start of lockdown in all its surreal and terrifying uncertainty, let it be this. Just remember to breathe!"
The Therapist (2021) Helene Flood "Tense and atmospheric, this psychological thriller gets under your skin. Helene Flood keeps presenting questions to her reader, sending us every which way, as she builds towards the stunning and satisfying conclusion."
The Pact (2021) Sharon Bolton "Clear your diary and knock off your phone because you won't be able to put this book down. With THE PACT, we're in the hands of a master thriller writer, one who builds the tension with a perfectly paced plot until a breathless, shocking conclusion."
The Killing Kind (2021) Jane Casey "A fast-paced thriller set against a world of courtroom drama, filled with suspense and intrigue. A brilliant new standalone from Jane Casey and a must-read."
The Fatal Isles (2021) (Doggerland Trilogy , book 1) Maria Adolfsson "An excellent police procedural - she does detail brilliantly - but also really thrilling. I love books that send me somewhere completely new and I really enjoyed Doggerland. She captured it perfectly, and held me there for the whole thing."
Rachel Ryan "An incredible debut; pacy, clever and tense."
Sisters (2020) Michelle Frances "Terrific . . . Twisted, fraught with suspense, a proper summer page-turner."
Dear Child (2020) Romy Hausmann "I read Dear Child in one sitting, holding my breath. Such a gripping, suspenseful and beautifully written debut. I loved it!"
Broken Flowers (2020) Kate McQuaile "Kate McQuaile writes fascinatingly flawed characters and domestic noir beautifully. The topic may be dark but the writing is so lyrical, you won't want to stop reading."
Liz Nugent "Deliciously dark and engaging writing ... Her fans are in for a real treat."
Keep Him Close (2020) Emily Koch "This is domestic noir as it's meant to be done; riveting and beautifully written."
The Temple House Vanishing (2020) Rachel Donohue "An exquisitely written novel. Absolutely beautiful. So evocative for me of all those school greats - The Secret History, Dead Poets Society, Picnic at Hanging Rock. It was such a slow build of tension but simmering with that sinister under-layer the whole time. This is some debut."
Keep Your Eyes on Me (2020) Sam Blake "I absolutely love a tale of women scorned getting revenge and this one did not let me down. I loved the escapism of it - I was living vicariously through those characters, I tell you. It was pacey and exciting and totally joyous."
Found (2019) Erin Kinsley "One of those rare finds - a page turner that is equally remarkable for the beauty of the writing. It will suck you in and take you on a journey."
The Book Club (2019) C J Cooper "A dark, twisty, claustrophobic read. I love those locked room novels (albeit locked village in this case!) . . . A thrilling psychological debut."
Past Life (2019) (Abigail Boone, book 1) Dominic Nolan "It's gripping, addictive, a thrill of a ride. This is crime as it should be written. one of the best, original introductions of a protagonist I've read."
The 18th Abduction (2019) (Women's Murder Club, book 18) Maxine Paetro and James Patterson "Terrific, high-octane, really pacy ... this book delivers everything we've come to love in a Patterson novel. Every scene is a film, every character real and every plot point leaves us breathless."
She Lies in Wait (2019) (DCI Jonah Sheens, book 1) Gytha Lodge "A stunner, a proper whodunnit. It kept me up well past bed-time, turning those pages. Well-plotted, brilliant characters, beautifully written: a sure-fire hit."
