Beneath the stillness of Lincolnshire’s landscapes, author Jack Cartwright has uncovered a world of crime, secrets and suspense. Best known for his Wild Fens, Deadly Wolds and DCI Cook series, he explores vivid and dark rural settings within our county’s rich landscape.
With over 50 novels to his name, including 23 as Jack Cartwright, his twisty plots and unforgettable characters have earned him bestseller status. We caught up with him to discuss his journey, his favourite writing ingredients and what’s coming next.
Before crime writing, what did life look like for you and how did you end up writing full-time?
Before writing as Jack Cartwright, I was writing action thrillers under a different pen name while living in Dubai. At the time, I was Head of IT and Facilities for an architecture company. We moved back to the UK in 2019, and after about a year of getting to know the county, Jack Cartwright was born.
My writing journey started as a bucket list item. I had always wanted to write a book, and I had always wanted a degree. So, I did both at the same time. I have never once used that degree certificate, but I enjoyed the writing so much I gave up work and here I am, 50 something novels later.
You became a USA Today bestselling author in 2021 and an Amazon best selling author shortly after. How did those moments feel?
Under the Jack Cartwright name, I have written 23 books and 22 of them have received Amazon’s bestselling tag in their genre. I would like to think I have built up enough of a following that there’s some excitement when a new book drops, but it’s never something I take for granted.
It’s nice to see those accolades and they tickle the ego, but in the day-to-day reality of being an author, they don’t change much. The USA Today recognition was lovely, of course, but the focus is always on the next book, the next idea, the next character.
What drew you specifically to crime fiction as a genre?
It’s what I watch. If I were to walk into a bookstore, a crime novel is what I would buy… and maybe a bar of chocolate if they have any on the counter!
People often say, ‘write what you know.’ I disagree! I know about IT, bricklaying, photography, music, gardening, cars…the list goes on. The trick is weaving what you know into a genre that excites you. Crime fiction excites me. You use your life experience to shape characters that feel real and relatable, characters both you and the reader want to spend time with.
In your view, what are the key ingredients of a gripping crime fiction novel?
Characters and twists. That’s it. The plot is just the canvas on which to paint your characters. If you’ve got a rich palette of characters, like the ones you meet in real life, the twists will come naturally.
It doesn’t matter how beautiful your writing is; if the reader doesn’t care about your characters, they’ll close the book. And if your characters are as flat and dull as a vegan barbecue, well, good luck finding a twist that works.
Your books are deeply rooted in Lincolnshire. What makes the Fens and Wolds such effective crime settings?
A sense of wonder. I frequently find spots across Lincolnshire (other counties are available!) that fill me with a sense of intrigue. If I stumble across a remote farmhouse, I immediately start asking myself questions. Who lived there? What happened? Why is it derelict?
Add some rich characters who might thrive in those settings, and it doesn’t take long for ideas to take root.
You now have three separate series under your belt. How do Wild Fens, Deadly Wolds and the DCI Cook novels differ for you – and your readers?
They all have a different energy, much like the landscapes they’re set in.
Stand in the Fens, and you see miles of open, windswept farmland. The Wild Fens books reflect that openness – wild and free. The stories are littered with humour and grit alike. They bask in light, and they lurk in the shade with a romantic thread running quietly beneath the crime.
The Deadly Wolds books are more constrained. They strike deep into the reader’s heart. They still experience light and shade, but the emotions run deeper, and the stories explore themes many readers relate to but don’t necessarily voice.
The DCI Cook series is something else entirely – a slow-burn. They are bonus books, and each one is inspired by a Dickens novel. I love that sense of age and hardship and how the characters intertwine. That’s what I try to encapsulate.
What can readers expect from you next?
More Wild Fens, another Deadly Wolds, and maybe something new. Who knows? I haven’t quite decided yet. But whatever it is, the journey will be fun for me, and hopefully for the readers too.
Jack Cartwright’s latest novel Secrets from the Grave, is available now at Amazon.
Explore the full series at www.jackcartwrightbooks.com or follow him on social media.
See this Q&A in the December issue of Lincolnshire Today, here.
