JOFFE BOOKS LAUNCHES ANTICIPATED NEW CRIME THRILLER FROM #1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR JOY ELLIS

Joy Ellis is the author of three bestselling detective series set on the Lincolnshire Fens: the DI Jackman & DS Marie Evans series, the Detective Matt Ballard series, and the DI Nikki Galena series.

How on earth does Joy manage it all? Read on to find out!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE GRAVES ON THE FENS BY JOY ELLIS

JOY ELLIS ON HER WRITING JOURNEY FOR GRAVES ON THE FENS

Did anything surprise you during the writing process?

This whole book was something of a surprise, and the mere fact that it ever got finished was a miracle. It was one of those times, when life butted in with multiple problems, and I was forced to grab writing moments only when I could. 

I was terrified this would reflect in the continuity of the storyline. So, the most surprising thing was when my friend, who always reads the manuscript and gives an honest opinion, said, ‘Great continuity, flows a treat!’ Phew! 

What’s the biggest distraction of your writing day?

Seven dogs!!!! Need I say more? (Three rescue girls, one rehomed girl, and our original three boy Springers): Woody, Jasper, Rory, Scampi, Ju-Ju, Ellie and Darcey.

Oh, and a morning break to play Wordle. Social media has a lot to answer for too. So many messages from all over the world, and every one is important to me, so I certainly get distracted there.

What really inspires you?

The readers, without a doubt! Some of the messages that I’ve received over the last few years have been both heart-warming and heart-breaking, and have given me a totally different view on the power of books. If I ever flag, or feel that maybe the time has come to back off from writing, the readers bring me back and inspire me all over again.

Tell us about the setting?

All my books, all twenty-nine of them, are set in the Lincolnshire Fens where I live. It is a strange county, loved by some, and hated by others.

Noël Coward commented that Norfolk was very flat, but I suggest he had never been to the southern part of Lincolnshire!

Even so, it is a wonderful place for the location of a murder mystery or a thriller. Mists, marshes, acres of fields and tiny, rural hamlets scattered beneath the biggest and most breath-taking of skies. I love it, and so does DI Nikki Galena.

How do you want the readers to feel when they’ve finished your book?

That they can’t wait for the next one! I want them to feel that the characters are their friends, and that my books provide a catch-up on what is going on in their lives. I love to hear when readers say that they didn’t want a book to end. It’s all about enjoying a damned good read.

I just hope they’ve had a thrilling ride, a few laughs, maybe the odd tear sometimes, and found some escapism with me, here in the Fens . . .

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE GRAVES ON THE FENS BY JOY ELLIS

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