It’s been a hectic month with the release of Crucifix Knot—book 11 in the DCI Finnegan series, and the direct sequel to Wicker Girl.

Sales have been exceptionally strong and, with each new release, readership continues to grow.

I also want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has taken the time to leave a review or rating for Crucifix Knot. The response has been overwhelming, and your words really do make a difference—both in helping other readers discover the series, and in giving me that extra push to keep the stories coming.

If you’ve read the book and enjoyed it, I’d love it if you could take a few minutes to leave a quick review or even just a rating on Amazon, Goodreads, or wherever you picked it up. It doesn’t need to be long—just a line or two is enough, and it really does mean the world.

I’m already deep into the next instalment of the Finnegan series—Whale Cemetery—which is now available for pre-order. (Note - it says Buy Now - but it's a pre-order - no money is charged until it's released).

The release date is set for 27th December 2025. I chose this date deliberately because, well, it’s the day after Christmas truly winds down. The build-up, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, family, friends—all the excitement, the joy, the minor annoyances and petty flare-ups—by the 27th, most of us are ready to put our feet up, sink into a comfortable settee, and finally do what we want to do. Whether that’s watching a favourite film or TV show, or getting lost in a good book.

I know the 28th December feels like a long way off, but I promise there’s plenty happening between now and then. Alongside the Finnegan series, I’ve been working hard on a new project: a spin-off cold case thriller from 1973. It brings back familiar faces—Frank, Prisha, Zac, and Dr Whipple—but this time the spotlight is firmly on DI Prisha Kumar as she reopens a case that was hurriedly closed more than fifty years ago.

I must admit, going back in time has been both challenging and rewarding. Days of research into the details of 1973—everything from the music and the cars to the policing methods and even the price of a pint—have made it feel like I’ve stepped into another world.

Also coming soon: on the 27th of this month (September 2025), the fifth audiobook in the series—House Arrest—will be released. It’ll be available on Audible, Spotify, and many other retailers. I’ll share more on this once it’s officially live.

And if that isn’t enough, I can also reveal that the covers are already finished for a brand-new series I’m planning for next year—this one set in Australia. It’s based in a remote and beautiful corner of the country, though one that can also be unnerving and dangerous. More on that later too.

In between all that, I’ve spent the last few days fighting technology—which has left me a little mentally bruised, and bloody annoyed. Updating my website, moving to a new email newsletter system, and grappling with those maddening internet loops where you just go round and round because the computer says “no”.

Such is life.

Right, that’s all for now. My plan is to post a brief update here once a week, so do bookmark this page and stay tuned for more.

All the best,

 Ely North