Between 1985 and 1995, I’d written three horror novels. They were terrible, but I’d learned something: I really enjoyed writing even though I was hopelessly bad at it.
In 1996 I was lucky enough to be offered a job as Scenes of Crime Officer, and suddenly my writing ‘career’ had a new direction, a new genre, and things turned around quickly. Between ’97 and 2004, I wrote the SOCO Roger Conniston Trilogy – A Long Time Dead, Stealing Elgar, and No More Tears, and although a little on the long side, they became very successful. A Long Time Dead has earned best seller status on Amazon a few time over the years, and people often ask if I’m writing a new Roger book. Sadly, there are no plans to.
One day, I was talking to a colleague about a burglar who had hundreds of convictions and who was still walking around free. He said that people like that should be killed.
That gave me the idea for The Third Rule. It was a big project, and I needed a new hero. Someone who was angrier and more cynical than Roger Conniston. Someone who was like me, but more extreme. His name was Eddie Collins. The book was set in the future – 2015 to be precise. A new government brought back the death penalty for repeat offenders. They called it the Third Rule: break the law three times and you’re dead. But the system was corrupt and unfair. Eddie Collins had to fight against it.
Eddie and The Third Rule were made for each other. Quite literally. I went on to write a further five novels, but over the intervening years realised the first in the series didn’t fit at all. I’ve spoken about the decision to remove The Third Rule from the lineup here, and wrote a replacement series opener: The Pain of Strangers.
The latest book in Eddie’s series is Death Warning, and I published that in 2023.
But then I had a thought (I know, staggering, isn’t it?). I decided to write a detective trilogy. I won’t say the thought hit me out of the blue, but it wasn’t far off. I’m a couple of thousand words into the third of those books, and hope to have them all released in Autumn 2024.
And then?
And then I’m back on with Eddie.
Oh, don’t forget that if you need a quick Eddie Collins fix, there are five novellas you can grab. The Lift, The Note, The Lock, The Crew, and written initially for a charity anthology, Eye Contact. The thing about Eddie’s novellas is they’re all written in first person, so you can see the cogs going round in his head. Try them, you’ll love them.
So from 1985 to the present day, I’ve come a long long way. I think my writing has matured, got crisper, more rugged, and even has a bit of beauty to it. The best thing is, even though I’m still learning my craft, I enjoy it more than ever.
Oh, I suppose I should include the regular bio thing: Andrew lives in Leeds with his wife and two daughters, two stupid dogs (a white goon of a German shepherd called Boomer, and a slack little fox terrier called Basil), a wobbly cat called Eli, and two cross-eyed goldfish (They’re not cross-eyed – I just made that up). He still works as a full time Senior CSI.
Just finished number 4 in the Eddie Collins series. Am suffering sleep depravation as I find it hard to put it down. Absolutely great stories please keep them coming.
Hi John, I really appreciate you taking the time out to let me know how much you’re enjoying the Eddie Collins series. You still have a few left, plus the novellas. Once I finish Regan Carter book 4, I’ll be back on with a new Eddie Collins book. If you have a spare moment, I’d love to see a review from you on Amazon. Thank you.
I would love to read your books. I enjoy Charlie Gallagher books he is a police officer so he as first hand experience of detective thrillers.
Hi Jane, great to hear from you. You can easily get a couple of my books for free, so you can try my style and characters without any risk. Use the signup form on the front page and we’ll organise a couple of books for you automatically. I hope you’re keeping well, Andy
Hi Andy
I loved Long Time Dead and I’ve just read lift, I live in Bradford West Yorkshire so it was nice to a read a book with familiar places. Keep up the good work and working for CSI makes your books so real and interesting. I love Rogers character very much.
Thanks, Linda! So glad you enjoyed A Long Time Dead, have a look at Roger’s next in the series, Stealing Elgar (my favourite of his books). I might be working on a new Roger book sometime toward the back end of this year.
Hi Andy,
I finally made it to your website. I am downloading books in order as well as I can because I don’t want to spoil anything for myself. I have so much catching up to do 🙂 So – A Long Time Dead is up first. I found you just recently when I downloaded The Lift and then The Note…loved them both as you know. How I have never heard of you before now amazes me but I am making up for lost time now. I have sent your name to my sister as promised so I hope to hear from her soon. I have your website bookmarked so I will be in here often.
Bye for now
Sylvia (the expat)
Hi Sylvia, it’s great to see you here! I’m delighted that you enjoyed reading The Lift and The Note enough to go ahead and download all the other books – I really hope you enjoy those also, and it would be great to hear how you get along with them. Getting your name out to all readers is the biggest hurdle an author faces, so I’ve very grateful to you for letting your sister know about me, that’s very kind. I hope she goes on to enjoy the books too. Pop in frequently, Sylvia, I hope to keep the site fresh. Take care, Andy
Hi Andrew I would love to be considered as part of your ARC team. I love reading, English and copy reading. If there is a typo I will spot it! must be my Arian or anal tendencies. I have to straighten picture frames etc, nightmare. Appreciate your consideration. Best wishes with your latest best seller.
Hi Annie, you’re already in the ART group, so no need to worry. I have the same level of OCD so you’re in good company. I really hope you enjoy The End of Lies, please do let me know your thoughts; I’d love it to be a best-seller. Take good care, Andy.
long time dead was a compelling read unable to put it down 5+ star rating . the lift was a very good short story 5 star
Hi Steve, thanks for dropping by and leaving your comment. It’s always wonderful to hear that someone has enjoyed A Long Time Dead and The Lift. I hope you go on to read the rest of series too. If you do, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Take care, Andy.
Hi Andy,
I have just read your book “the lift” . I just wanted to say I really enjoyed it. Didn’t see the ending coming : ) I can’t wait to read another o your books : )
Davina
Hi Davina! I’m really happy to hear that you enjoyed The Lift, and in particular the ending. If you’re looking for another short story in a similar style, try the newly released The Note, I’m sure you’ll enjoy that one too – it has some wonderful reviews. If you do, I’d love to know what you think of it.
Well the day has finally arrived, I really don’t know what I’m going to do! I have just finished reading Ledston Luck. It was amazing. I came across your books last year and have had one on the go ever since. I absolutely got lost in each story as I read it, thinking the next one won’t be as good as the last and was surprised when in fact it was. My quandary now is that I only have The notebook left to read. Should I devour it a.s.a.p or save it and savour it? Andrew please send me the good news of a new release soon. And thank you!
Hi Diane. How wonderful to hear that you’ve read and enjoyed all the books. Of course, you should go ahead and devour The Note! You know you want to 😉 I promise that I’m hard at work on the next Eddie novel, and also on something completely different. I look forward to sharing news of them both with you soon.
Hi Andrew
I have just finished A Long Time Dead, I enjoyed it so much I bought and downloaded from Amazon, Stealing Edgar (Roger Conniston book 2) I also bought The Note which I have also finished and enjoyed a great deal! I very much enjoy a series of books as you get to know the characters. I have written a review on Amazon.
Kind regards
Lynne
Hi Lynne,
Many thanks for getting in touch. It’s always a great pleasure to learn that someone has enjoyed a book or two of mine. I really hope you go on to enjoy Stealing Elgar – it’s my favourite of Roger’s trilogy. Your review for The Note was splendid, thank you!
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
Just downloaded Ledston Luck from Amazon and looking forward to reading it as I only live a short walk from Ledston Luck in KIPPAX. I saw you in the local magazine ” Kippax Matters” so thought I would give you a try as I am always looking for new crime writers and it’s good to find some one who writes in an area you are familiar with. I used to like Stuart Pawsons books he lives at Fairburn.
Hi Jacky,
Someone I know from the village sent me a picture of that bio from Kippax Matters. I’m really flattered by it. It’s a constant surprise to me how many people who live near Ledston Luck have got in touch with me; and it’s a great feeling! It’s amazing to see how many books Stuart Pawson has out, isn’t it? And also amazing is how many authors live in this neck of the woods!
I really hope you enjoy Ledston Luck, and if you have the time, I’d love to hear how you get along with it. If you’d like to see what the earlier books are like, why not sign up to my Reader’s Club and get yourself A Long Time Dead, The Third Rule, and a CSI Eddie Collins short story, The Lift, for free? Just fill out the short form on the front page of the site, and I’ll see you on the other side.
Take care,
Andy
Hey Andrew,
I just finished “A Long Time Dead”. I enjoyed it very much, was really surprised at the end, did not expect that ending. I also left a comment on Amazon.
Thanks much!!!
Barb
Hi Barb,
It’s great to see you over here – thank you for popping in.
I’m delighted by your review, and very pleased you didn’t see that ending coming. A Long Time Dead is 20 years old; it was the first crime book I ever wrote. I might have to devise a birthday present for the ‘old gal’ soon.
Don’t be a stranger, pop on here agian soon.
Take care,
Andy