The Crime Readers' Association

Matt CootMatt Coot

Sub-genre: , , , , ,

Being an avid reader of crime fiction from a (disturbingly) young age, it’s no wonder that I’ve always been determined to become a crime writer. In 2024, I was stunned when I was longlisted for the Debut Dagger Award and have been using this as encouragement to persevere with completing my first novel (I can do it!)

Gaining an MA Creative Writing with Distinction (Plymouth University) and a BA (Hons) Creative Writing (Bath Spa University), I’ve been continually improving my craft, including engaging with short courses and attending various crime writing festivals (including CrimeFest, Bloody Scotland and the Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival).

Aside from writing novels, I’m an aspiring screenwriter (currently a part of Screen Cornwall’s New Writers Network 2024), have performed autobiographical monologues on the topic of mental health awareness, and won an award for a creative non-fiction article based upon my grandfather’s brave exploits when the Luftwaffe bombed a fuel depot in Falmouth a week prior to D-Day (this was published in a university anthology in 2020).

 

Vilomah

I’m currently working on my first novel. It’s a work-in-progress that I’m hoping to complete by the end of 2024. I’ll then be sending it out to agents etc.

In the wake of a school shooting, a grieving Cornish community is beginning to take the road to recovery when a murder sends a shockwave through the town, touching everyone and leaving nobody unscathed. Mourning the loss of his daughter, a suicidal DI Jack Hart is forced into investigating the brutal murder of a heroic teacher but soon discovers that this teacher was no hero. Delving into the victim’s dark secrets, Jack finds himself suspecting his friends and family; could one of them be the killer?

Vilomah explores the themes of grief, family, and the destructive nature of vengeance.

Find another author

Join the CRA

Joining the CRA is FREE. There are no lengthy forms to fill out and we need nothing but your email. You will receive a regular newsletter but no spam.