'In one of my books I murder a States Member – but it’s nothing to do with their politics’ - Jersey Evening Post

by · Jersey Evening Post

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‘In one of my books I murder a States Member – but it’s nothing to do with their politics’

by Thomas Ogg 18 June 202618 June 2026

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Ahead of her appearance at the Jersey Book Fair this Saturday, author Gwyn Bennett spoke to TOM OGG about the event, her love for writing and how the Island has inspired her popular page-turning thrillers

THE inaugural Jersey Book Fair will be taking place this Saturday.
Held at Jersey Library, the free-to-enter event will feature a number of authors, novelists, children’s writers and poets, all discussing their work, reading extracts, and offering tips and advice on the writing process.
Among those taking part will be Gwyn Bennett, whose novels include Burning Lies, Island Graves and Secrets in the Blood, and who is one third of the “Blonde Plotters”, aka novelists Gwyn, Deborah Carr and Kelly Clayton.

Hi Gwyn. What can Islanders expect from the Jersey Book Fair on Saturday?
“This is the first ever Jersey Book Fair, organised by local author Dreena Collins, and I’m really looking forward to spending a few hours doing nothing but talking books with people. I don’t think people realise what a rich and varied community of writers there are in Jersey. There will be something for everyone at the fair, from poetry and fiction to non-fiction and children’s writers. There are free talks from authors, both local non-fiction and children’s readings, and also a ‘writing and publishing clinic’ for those who are thinking about writing and publishing a book of their own. 15-plus writers will be showcasing their books and will be available to chat to visitors.
“I really do think that our creative community in Jersey is very underestimated. Our books are sold globally, not just bringing in revenue, but often we feature our beautiful Island in our writing, setting our books here, and that’s a fantastic way to advertise Jersey.”

What will your involvement be throughout the event?
“I’m going to be talking books and writing the whole time. We will be taking turns on the writing and publishing clinic table, so wannabe authors can come and ask their questions. If I’m not there, I’ll be on a table with my fellow writing friends, Deborah Carr and Kelly Clayton.”

How would you describe a Gwyn Bennett novel to a newcomer?
“Most of my books are thrillers, mixing emotional depth with gripping suspense. Like many writers, I’m intrigued by people, what makes us all tick, and why we do the things we do. As a former journalist I also tend to do a lot of research, mixing fact with fiction, because so often real-life is extraordinary. I also write ‘tightly’ which is again another benefit of having been a journalist, so you won’t get lots of descriptive fluff in my books.”

Are any of your books set in Jersey? Does the Island inspire your writing in any way?
“My first published novel was set in Jersey and, yes, totally inspired by my home. I was working for the BBC when the Haute de la Garenne investigation was launched. It shocked us all, everyone was horrified by what was being reported and the innocent children involved. I also saw firsthand the sensationalist reporting by the off-Island media.
“The book – Islands – isn’t about what happened at the children’s home, as that’s not my story to tell, it’s about two fictional sisters and the secrets they keep and how that damages their relationships. It’s set in both 1970s Jersey and 2008 Jersey, with the backdrop of the investigation as it shocks the Island.
“I’ve also written a crime thriller series set here – the Saskia Monet series – which features a La Moye Prison forensic psychologist and a local detective. I undertook a lot of research and was really lucky to be supported by the prison and one of the psychologists there who helped inform the character and the book.
“We are so blessed with a variety of inspiring landscapes, buildings and history here in Jersey – it’s impossible not to want to include the Island in a book.”

When and how did you first develop your interest in writing, and, in particular, writing novels?
“I always wanted to write from a very early age. I read my library dry of fairy stories before moving on to books by Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. I think I wrote my first ‘book’ when I was about seven.
“Libraries are so very important in introducing children to reading. It’s pertinent that our first Jersey Book Fair is being held at Jersey library in the National Year of Reading. I always made sure our children took part in the summer holiday reading challenges at the library and I hope that people will bring their children along on Saturday.
“I became a journalist as I realised that writing books is not something that you can easily make a full-time living from, especially at a young age, and so I have been lucky to spend my career writing in different ways.”

Do you have a specific writing process?
“When I first started writing books, I planned everything and re-wrote and re-structured tons of times. But now I’m up to 21 published novels, I don’t need to plan as much and have an instinct for the structure. I don’t start ‘properly’ writing the book until I’ve got the characters talking in my head. I have to know them, understand who they are, as well as understand the plot, before I will sit down and write the book.”

What tips and advice would you give to anyone who is thinking of trying their hand at writing a book, but who has yet to take the plunge?
“Just do it. It really is a case of sitting yourself down and putting words on the page. You will then almost definitely need to re-write it a ton of times before it’s ready. But the main thing is that if you want to write, you will. I have to write. I have to release my creativity.
“Just don’t do it thinking you’re going to get rich quick.”

Do you have a set time of day when you prefer to write? Or is it more of a case of writing as and when inspiration strikes?
“I write when I can. If you want to be a serious writer, ie one who makes a living from this, then you have to learn to treat it like a job and sit down and get on with it. There are times when the creative well is drained and it’s like getting a blood out of a stone, but you just have to push through. Of course, writing isn’t just about being a professional author, it’s also a wonderfully healing process. Writing your emotions and story down can be very cathartic and it doesn’t matter whether a million people or nobody reads it.”

Are you currently working on a book? If so, would you be happy to give a few details about it?
“I need to write a sequel to Mrs Barnes, which is my latest thriller, so I’m working on that. Mrs Barnes is a fast-action thriller featuring a quiet 40-plus wife and mother, who finds her husband’s dinner guests aren’t what she was expecting and is forced to fight for her family and her life. But I’m also working on something a bit different too, a different genre. At the moment, I’m having to spend a fair bit of time focusing on the German market because my translations there are doing well, which is exciting.”
Finally, you were heavily involved with the Jersey elections, often overseeing hustings throughout the Island. What did you most enjoy about doing this?
“Moderating the hustings was a privilege in many ways because it’s so important that voters get the opportunity to hear from their candidates so they can make an informed decision about who they want to give their votes to.
“My broadcasting background meant the role was second-nature to me, but the whole Vote.je team worked extremely hard to ensure that people had the information they needed to go to the polls. It’s an intense period for all those involved, the Senatorial candidates had 13 official hustings over a few weeks, and I think we were all exhausted by the end of it.
“But, we are so lucky to be in a jurisdiction where democracy can be taken for granted – it would just be good to see more people appreciating that and using their votes. I take my hat off to all the candidates who step up to represent us, it’s hard work, and I wish that there was a little more appreciation for what they do.
“Although I must admit, in one of my Saskia Monet Jersey books, Secrets in the Blood, I do murder a States Member – although it’s not do with their politics.”

*The Jersey Book Fair will be held on Saturday 20 June, from 10am to 2pm at Jersey Library. The event is free to enter and suitable for all ages, with novelists, non-fiction writers, children’s authors and poets among those taking part.

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