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

Publishing Director Kate Lyall Grant signs a brilliant new Lennox & Wilde mystery from #1 bestselling author Helen H. Durrant.

Helen says: "I'm delighted to be working once again with the fab team at Joffe Books on the latest adventure for Lennox & Wilde. The story sees the pair crack a complex case with twists aplenty and will hopefully keep the reader guessing."

Kate says: THE WRONG MAN is a wonderfully gripping crime thriller full of unexpected twists and turns: I genuinely had no idea where the constantly twisting plot was going to take me next! DS Jess Wilde and DI Harry Lennox make for an intriguing detective partnership, with the junior partner Jess often having to be surrogatte mother to her superior officer, Harry, with his chaotic, unsettled lifestyle - brilliant detective though he may be. I can't wait to see where their adventures take them next.

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We're delighted to announce that Joffe Books' Associate Commissioning Editor Steph Carey has signed a gripping psychological thriller from Caleb Stephens.

Caleb Stephens: “I’m incredibly excited to publish with Joffe. There isn’t another independent publisher as driven as they are to deliver high-quality fiction to their readers. I know they will put just as much work getting my book out into the world as I did in writing it.”

Associate Commissioning Editor Steph Carey: “Caleb has written a truly unputdownable thriller with all the elements of a bestseller — a camping trip in the beautiful wilderness of Colorado that goes really wrong, tense family dynamics that will be put to the ultimate test, and a stranger with a shocking past who is not what she seems . . . I can't wait to get to work!”

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Joffe Books has acquired the gripping new psychological suspense by Max Manning, The Killer in Me, plus one more. The Killer in Me will publish in eBook and paperback in winter 2022.

Max Manning is a former national newspaper journalist. He started his career as a crime reporter on local newspapers in Essex, England, covering police investigations and murder trials. He later went on to work for several national newspapers in London. He is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers Now You See and Don't Look Now.

In The Killer in Me, Liv Miller is still grieving the death of her sister, killed in a hit-and-run. The driver confessed and was convicted, but he’s going to be released from prison any day now. Soon he’ll walk free while her sister is dead. Liv is struggling with that knowledge when suddenly her world turns upside down. She volunteers to take part in a study of the brains of violent criminals, as a ‘control’ sample of a ‘normal’ brain. That’s when she learns she has all the classic abnormalities of a high-level psychopath. Suddenly Liv’s head is crowded with possibilities. Dark thoughts. Twisted opportunities. Maybe it’s time to embrace her secret self. Maybe finding out she’s a psychopath is the push she needs to exact revenge . . .

“I know readers won’t be able to put it down till the stunning conclusion”

— Emma Grundy Haigh

Max Manning says: “I am thrilled to be working with Emma and the rest of the talented team at Joffe Books. I am already a big fan of many of their highly successful authors and delighted to have found the perfect home for The Killer in Me.”

Emma Grundy Haigh says: “I'm thrilled to be publishing Max Manning’s chilling new thriller. The Killer in Me is an unputdownable foray into a world of loss, grief and simmering fury that explores the simple question: what would you do if it turned out you had the mind of a psychopath? I needed to find out and I know readers won’t be able to put it down till the stunning conclusion either.”

Hannah Todd says: “I am so delighted to unite Max and Emma for the publishing of these amazing new thrillers. Emma’s enthusiasm for these books, her publishing acumen and marketing insight, paired with Max’s fantastic pacey writing and plots means it’s truly a dream team!”

PRE-ORDER THE KILLER IN ME HERE

Kate Lyall Grant is delighted to have signed a 24-book deal with previously self-published author Emmy Ellis. The deal comprises four different series, the DI Carol Wren, DI Bethany Thomas, DI Tracy Collier and DI Morgan Yeoman police procedural series.

Kate Lyall Grant says:

"In my 30-year publishing career, this is easily the biggest deal I've ever done. The fact that we are signing up a mammoth 24 books demonstrates the level of our belief in Emmy Ellis, and our commitment to her long-term career. With her utterly gripping police procedurals, with their flawed, all-too-human yet thoroughly likeable detective protagonists, twisty-turny plots, series of gruesome murders and well-realised settings, we are confident that Emmy has a glittering career ahead of her, and we're looking forward to propelling her to the top of the bestseller lists."

Emmy Ellis writes:

"I’m delighted and excited to be working with the wonderful team at Joffe who have welcomed me with open arms and have the same vision as I do for my books. It’s rare to find somewhere you feel right at home from the beginning, but I do believe I’ve found it, and I look forward to the future, knowing my stories are in the best hands."

The first of twenty-four gripping titles by Emmy Ellis will be released early spring 2023.

We're delighted to announce that Joffe Books' Associate Commissioning Editor Steph Carey has signed SIX thrilling books from C.J. Grayson.

C.J. Grayson says:

“I’m not only excited but overwhelmed to be publishing with Joffe Books. Joining their passionate, knowledgeable team who are continually publishing high-quality fiction, along with their fantastic collection of successful authors, I can’t wait to see what the future holds! It’s safe to say I’m in very capable hands.”

Steph Carey says:

“C.J. Grayson has not one but two incredible series — both fantastically dark and gritty — and I know our readers will love the gripping, twisty plots and richly drawn characters in his crime thrillers. I'm so pleased to have him on board!”

The first of six crime thrillers by C.J. Grayson will be released early 2023.

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We're delighted to announce that Joffe Books' Associate Commissioning Editor Steph Carey has signed SIX gripping Welsh crime mysteries from P.F. Ford.

Peter always dreamed of becoming a writer, but a dream is easily stifled without support from those around you. 

He says it was only when his old, unhappy life fell apart and he met his new partner Mary, who believed dreamers should be encouraged, that he finally got the chance to live that dream.

Fast forward a few years and you find a man transformed. Now, blissfully happy, settled in a quiet corner of Wales with wife Mary and their rescue dogs, P.F. Ford is living proof that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams.

P.F. Ford says:

“As soon as I spoke to the guys at Joffe Books I understood why they win so many awards, and I’m super confident that working with them is going to take my writing career to another level. I can’t wait to get started!”

Joffe Books Associate Commissioning Editor Steph Carey says:

“I am absolutely delighted to sign Pete to Joffe Books — his compelling crime mysteries set on the Welsh coast have it all: a fantastic cast of richly drawn characters, a beautiful setting, and twists and turns aplenty.” 

Watch this space to get your hands on the first utterly gripping Welsh murder mystery by P.F. Ford in November! 

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We are delighted to announce that Associate Commissioning Editor Steph Carey has signed the scintillating sixth DI JEMIMA HUXLEY book by Gaynor Torrance.

Gaynor Torrance says:

“I’m delighted that Joffe Books have signed the 6th book in the Jemima Huxley series. Of course, readers still have some massive shocks and surprises to look forward to in book 5. A huge thank you to everyone at Joffe Books and all the enthusiastic readers, for joining Jemima and the team on their journey. Also, for making my dreams come true.”

Steph Carey says:

“Thanks to Gaynor's fantastic storytelling and incredibly vivid characters, we've seen DI Jemima Huxley go from strength to strength, and I'm so thrilled to be adding another title to the series!”

BOOK 5 and BOOK 6 will be released early 2023.

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Audible will fund a £25,000 audiobook deal for the winner of the Joffe Books Prize for the next three years.

The prize was launched last year by independent publisher Joffe Books “as a direct response to the paucity of diverse voices being published in crime fiction”. 

It invites submissions from unagented authors from Black, Asian, indigenous and minority ethnic backgrounds, with the winner of the prize receiving a two-book publishing deal with Joffe Books and a £1,000 cash prize.

Now, they will also receive a £25,000 audiobook offer from Audible, which has extended its deal to include Northumberland-based debut novelist Christie J Newport who won the prize last year. The winner will additionally receive an editorial consultation with one of the judges and a two-year membership to the Society of Authors.

The second year of the Joffe Books Prize launched on 1st May, and in celebration of the new partnership with Audible the submission period has been extended to midnight on 31st October. 

This year, the judging panel includes Oyinkan Braithwaite, award-winning author of My Sister, the Serial Killer (Atlantic Books), and Ella Diamond Kahn, co-founder and partner of the Diamond Kahn & Woods Literary Agency.

Emma Grundy Haigh, editorial director at Joffe Books, said: “I am absolutely thrilled by Audible’s commitment to not just our prize, but to amplifying underrepresented voices in a very real way.

“Their involvement is utterly game changing — it promises to make this one of the most significant crime fiction prizes in the UK. Audible’s enthusiasm and advocacy has been evident right from the start. It’s been a pleasure to work with them so far, and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve.”

Aurelie de Troyer, senior vice-president of international English content at Audible, also commented: “Audible is delighted to be able to offer the winner of the Joffe Books Prize this additional opportunity. 

“We are passionate believers in the power of storytelling and want those stories to come from the widest possible range of people. We hope that our support will help set the winner on the path to a sustainable long-term writing career and look forward to giving them a well-deserved platform in audio.”

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Joffe Books Publishing Director Kate Lyall Grant has acquired two gripping psychological suspense novels: I'M WATCHING YOU by Amanda Brittany, and THE NEW WIFE, co-authored by Amanda Brittany and Karen Clarke.

AUTHORS AMANDA BRITTANY AND KAREN CLARKE

Amanda Brittany says:

"I’d heard so many amazing things about Joffe Books, so when Kate got in touch to invite me on board, I was over the moon. Working with Kate and the team on I’M WATCHING YOU has been an absolute pleasure, and it was clear from the off that the Joffe team care about their authors and readers. I feel so lucky to be part of the Joffe Book Family."

Karen Clarke says:

"I'm thrilled to be joining Kate and the amazing team at Joffe Books with Amanda Brittany. I've been impressed by their professionalism and dedication to their authors and am delighted to be collaborating with them on our new book." Karen Clarke

Kate Lyall Grant says:

"I am thrilled to be welcoming the awesomely talented Amanda Brittany and Karen Clarke to Joffe Books, with these two atmospheric tales of suspense. Both novels serve up a tantalising cocktail of lies, deceit, betrayal and murder - and I defy anyone to be able to second-guess the twists."

I’M WATCHING YOU and THE NEW WIFE will be released in eBook and paperback in autumn 2022.

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Joffe Books’s editorial director Emma Grundy Haigh has netted a sizzling debut by serving police officer-turned-crime writer, publishing under the pen name Casey King in a two-book deal.

In the first of this breathlessly pacey new series, a female gang boss and female police officer must work together to pursue revenge, following a fatal shooting ten years ago that shattered both their lives in this Dublin-based thriller.

Danielle Lewis is third in line to her uncle’s criminal empire. Saoirse Kelly is on compassionate leave from An Garda Siochana. Following a violent episode in which both women miscarry, they leave Dublin to mourn in private. Now they’re back. As the two women become more and more entwined with the criminal underworld, they uncover a network of family secrets, betrayal and deceit buried in a past neither can shake.

Internationally bestselling author of the Maeve Kerrigan mystery series Jane Casey says:

“Casey King writes with total authority about life on the dark side of Dublin, drawing you in with fascinating characters in dire situations. Her debut is authentic, gripping and thoroughly entertaining.”

Casey King says:

“The solitary act of writing is made all the more rewarding when my agent, Kate Nash, places my novel in the capable hands of Emma and the team at Joffe Books. I am very excited for this collaboration and where Emma and Joffe Books will take this next stage of my writing career, as they bring my gritty, female-led, gangland thriller to the hearts and minds of readers.”

Emma Grundy Haigh says:

“Casey is a fantastically talented writer and I was gripped by her sharp, propulsive writing from the start. The debut, a gritty page-turning gangland thriller, sends the reader skittering into a world of brutal, yet relatable women and snarling family dynamics, bolstered by brilliant police procedural elements borne of Casey’s own experience in the Irish police force. The result is a deliciously twisty ride into gangland Dublin that will keep readers glued to their seats. I am so excited that Casey has found a home with us at Joffe Books and I look forward to seeing where we will take these two novels.”

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Joffe Books Publishing Director Kate Lyall Grant has acquired two thrilling novels of psychological suspense from bestselling author McGarvey Black.

McGarvey Black says:

"I saw a podcast interview of Jasper Joffe and was really taken by his outlook on publishing. He was incredibly positive and normal and I liked his philosophy. I thought, I want to work with them! Joffe Books has had remarkable success publishing high quality fiction that include a slew of bestsellers. I'm hoping mine will be one of them."

Kate Lyall Grant says:

"I've never come across an author with quite such a darkly inventive imagination as McGarvey Black. She comes up with the most ingeniously twisted plots which pull you in from the outset and keep you gripped until the end. I'm absolutely delighted to have acquired her next two books, Trust No One and Twice on Christmas for Joffe Books."

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As we celebrate our 100th digest, we would like to take a moment to honour our beloved author Roy Lewis, creator of the Arnold Landon and Inspector Crow mystery series, who recently reached the impressive benchmark of over half a million books sold!

To commemorate this extraordinary achievement, we were delighted to receive a testimonial to Roy from his son, John.

Roy was born in Ton Pentre, Rhondda, South Wales on 17/1/1933. He died on 18/8/2019.

He probably started writing as a teenager, but I have no record to support this, apart from an old photo of him at a typewriter about 1950 (picture on the right).

In the late 1950s he contributed a number of short stories to an Australian publication, Man Magazine (and possibly also Adam). Suffice it to say that these publications mostly consisted of photos of young women in bathing suits with some articles and stories thrown in!

Roy Lewis pictured in the 1950s.

He was first published by Collins in 1969, I think, and stayed with them in their Crime Club series for many years. He took inspiration for his books from what he saw around him, from his early years in the Rhondda, through his years as a Further Education college lecturer, college inspector, and the places where he lived — Wales, the North-East, Spain and France. He also travelled widely in the Far East, which features in his writing as well. Archaeology was of particular interest to him, as was mediaeval history (e.g. the Knights Templar), which is reflected in the Arnold Landon series of books.

Joffe Books Publisher CEO Jasper Joffe on Roy Lewis:

“For a long time I wanted to publish Roy Lewis’s excellent crime novels. We used to speak occasionally on the phone and I always really enjoyed the charming lilt of his voice and his warmth.
I am very proud to publish his books and that we have sold over half a million of them, reaching a whole new generation of crime lovers. There’s a little sadness that he’s not alive to see the new-found success of his titles, but his books live on for his many loyal readers and I am so happy that we are his publisher.”

Picture above: Roy Lewis looking out over The Rhondda from the mountain behind his parents former house in 2000.

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Detective Rob Miller is back for the sixth and seventh instalments!

Joffe Books Editorial Director Emma Grundy Haigh has signed two more books in Biba Pearce's bestselling Detective Rob Miller series.

Biba says:

"I'm delighted that Joffe Books have signed for the sixth and seventh books in the DCI Rob Miller series. Once again, Rob and his team are on the trail of a very clever serial killer, and the twists and turns will keep you guessing right up until the very end. A huge thanks to Team Joffe for all they do, and for helping to make the books such a success."

Emma says:

"Tense, dark and utterly thrilling, Biba Pearce's Detective Rob Miller has won legions of fans and I am proud to count myself among them! This gripping London-set series just keeps going from strength to strength, thanks to Biba's characteristic blend of heart-racing action and propulsive plotting. I can't wait for readers to see what Biba puts Rob Miller and his team through next!"

Book 6 will be released in e-book and paperback in spring 2023.

Have you met Rob Miller yet? Get acquainted with the series here:
Detective Rob Miller series on Amazon.

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AUTHOR ANNOUNCEMENT: Joffe Books Associate Commissioning Editor Steph Carey has signed a new dark and twisty psychological thriller by Lizzie Fry.

Lizzie Fry is a debut author of high-concept thriller The Coven (published by Sphere books), but you might know her better as L.V. Hay.

L.V.’s previous books, The Other Twin, Do No Harm and Never Have I Ever were published by Orenda and Hodder. The Other Twin is currently being adapted for the screen by Agatha Raisin producers Free@Last TV.

Lizzie says:

"I am delighted to be publishing with Joffe Books. I’m a super-fan of their forward-thinking digital strategy and it’s thrilling to be working with them on Over My Dead Body. I don’t think I could be in better hands!"

Steph says:

"As soon as I started reading Over My Dead Body I knew I had to finish it — it's completely unputdownable and absolutely chilling! Lizzie is a fantastic writer and I'm so pleased to have her on the list. I can't wait to get to work on this fantastically gripping book!"

Over My Dead Body will be released in eBook and paperback in early 2023.

Jasper Joffe, CEO of leading independent publisher Joffe Books, has acquired Ostara Publishing from previous owner Andrew Cocks for an undisclosed sum.

Joffe Books will be taking over the Ostara list of approximately 120 titles. They will publish new editions in late 2022 and 2023, with Joffe’s laser-like focus on marketing and design relaunching the books to a whole new gamut of readers.

Award-winning crime writer and former Ostara consultant editor Mike Ripley has been approached to write new introductions to the Ostara Classics.

Kate Lyall Grant, Joffe Books Publishing Director: “Ostara has a well-deserved reputation for the superlative quality of its crime list, and with Joffe Books’ commercial success and expertise in the digital market, we think this is the perfect fit to reach a widespread new readership for these fantastic books. We will be staying true to the spirit of Ostara, and keeping the Ostara name, branding the books as ‘Joffe Books presents Ostara Classics.”

Andrew Cocks: ‘Regrettably I am no longer in a position to publish new books and give my existing titles the attention they deserve in an fast-developing publishing environment. I am delighted to have found in Joffe Books a kindred spirit to take over the Ostara list of authors and truly believe that Joffe will give the Ostara authors the opportunity to reach new readers and prosper. It has been a privilege to have been involved with all these books and I could not have wished for a better home for them.’

In 2019, Joffe Books acquired the Robert Hale backlist from Crowood Press, reissuing and revitalizing the sales of authors including Roger Silverwood, Frances Lloyd, David Hodges and Bill Kitson. These authors’ books now regularly feature in the Top 100 UK Kindle chart. The overall sales of ex-Hale titles have increased over tenfold since the acquisition.

About Joffe Books

Founded in 2014, Joffe Books is proud of its history of innovative publishing. Thanks to the unflagging passion and dedication brought by everyone in Team Joffe, we have built a reputation for crafting great books for readers, long-term relationships with authors and agents, and fleet-footed marketing. We are now the largest independent publisher of e-books in the UK. In 2021, Joffe sold over 3 million books across crime, mystery, thriller, romance and historical fiction (and another 6 million through Kindle Unlimited). Joffe was shortlisted for Independent Publisher of the Year at the British Book Awards in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The Joffe Books Prize aims to increase the diversity of voices in crime writing.

For more info contact Ostara@joffebooks.com

There’s no end in sight for award success this year as Joffe Books bags another nomination for 2022. Joffe Books has been shortlisted for the Diversity and Inclusivity Award at the Independent Publishers Awards 2022!

The award recognises efforts to make publishing a more diverse and inclusive industry. Despite the continuing challenges of the pandemic, 2021 was a landmark year for Joffe Books in this regard. We launched the Joffe Books Prize for Crime Writers of Colour, which was developed to promote systemic change and to build sustainable careers for underrepresented writers.

On top of that we also quantifiably expanded freelancer diversity through active outreach (The Literary Consultancy, social media, LinkedIn). Seven out of ten new freelancers regularly receiving work in 2021 (at least one project every six weeks) self-identify as people of colour, working class, immigrant or LGBTQ+. We also increased access by advertising every in-house post on Creative Access and BAME in Publishing.

It means more than words can express to be honoured this way and that our efforts to promote lasting change within the industry are being acknowledged.

Thank you to IPG!

Joffe Books has been shortlisted for Independent Publisher of the Year for the third year running at The British Book Awards 2022.

This has been a record-breaking year for Joffe: we doubled our staff numbers, hugely increased our revenue and became the sixth-biggest e-Book seller in the UK.

Last year Joffe Books also launched its very first prize for crime writers of colour, which was awarded to Christie J. Newport, alongside a two-book deal. 

The past year has truly been remarkable and all of us at Joffe Books want to thank our amazing authors and readers for this honour.

The winners of this year’s British Book Awards will be announced on Monday 23 May 2022.

Third time a charm?

Since 2019 we have waited, the anticipation rising exponentially with every little snippet revealed over the past three and a half years. Now, the wait is finally over. Adapted from Taylor Adams’s bestselling thriller, the No Exit film has finally arrived!

Directed by Damien Power and starring Havana Rose Liu and Dennis Haysbert, the film is now available to watch on Hulu and Disney +.

Although there won’t be a glamourous Hollywood style screening party, we will be celebrating No Exit appearing on the big screen with the usual: tea and doughnuts.

Congratulations to Taylor Adams! One of our first bestseller and our first on the silver screen!

Get your copy of No Exit here.