The Conversation with Nadine Matheson Nadine Matheson

Ever wrestled with the decision to switch lanes mid-career, or felt the tug of a creative calling that defies expectations? Chioma Okereke is a poet and author who transitioned from the structured world of law to the fluid realm of literature. We take you through the peaks and valleys of releasing a novel, and the realities of authorship in our digital age—yes, including that tricky dance of social media for writers. Chioma and I talk about the  resilience needed to navigate the unpredictable tides of the publishing world, her new novel, Water Baby, which is a coming-of-age story set in the real settlement of Makoko in  Lagos. Nigeria and her charity Makoko Pearls.

Water Baby
She's the Pearl of Makoko and the world is her oyster.

In Makoko, the floating slum off mainland Lagos, Nigeria, nineteen-year-old Baby yearns for an existence where she can escape the future her father has planned for her.

With opportunities scarce, Baby jumps at the chance to join a newly launched drone-mapping project, aimed at broadening the visibility of her community.

Then a video of her at work goes viral and Baby finds herself with options she could never have imagined - including the possibility of leaving her birthplace to represent Makoko on the world stage.

But will life beyond the lagoon be everything she's dreamed of? Or has everything she wants been in front of her all along?

Follow Chioma Okereke


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In today's conversation, Sunday Times and New York Times Bestselling author S J Watson and I navigate the uncertain waters of a writer's psyche, we swim through the currents of success and the hold it has on our sense of self.  It's a raw look at the myths of writing and publishing, and the significance of authenticity in a world that often prioritizes market appeal over original voice. 

S J Watson's debut novel, Before I go to Sleep was a global phenomon that has sold over 6,000,000 copies and was adapted into a major film staring Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Mark Strong.  Our  conversation includes how S.J. Watson navigated the rollercoaster of success with a practical guide to navigating the ever-changing landscape of the publishing industry and the balance between creativity and commercialism. We also ponder the advice we might offer to our younger selves, embracing the joys and challenges that define the creative spirit

Before I Go To Sleep
Memories define us.

So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep?

Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love - all forgotten overnight.

And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story.

Welcome to Christine's life.

Follow S . Watson


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For Sunday Times Bestselling author, Erin Kelly, every book launch feels like stepping into the spotlight for the first time, each page a new opportunity to captivate an audience or fall flat. This episode is an expedition through the complexities of authorship, examining the delicate equilibrium between the creative spirit and the unforgiving marketplace.  Together, Erin Kelly and I uncover the ambitious path of securing book deals, confront the stark realities of writers' earnings, and celebrate the tradition of mentorship that binds the community of storytellers. Erin Kelly's debut, The Poison Tree was an instant Sunday Times Bestseller, became a major ITV drama and was a Richard & Judy Summer Read in 2013. Her tenth novel, The House of Mirrors, the sequel to 'The Poison Tree' is available now.

The House of Mirrors
One of them has killed before.
One of them will kill again.

In the sweltering summer of 1997, straight-laced, straight-A student Karen met Biba - a bohemian and impossibly glamorous aspiring actress. A few months later, two people were dead and another had been sent to prison.

Having stood by Rex as he served his sentence, Karen is now married to him with a daughter, Alice, who runs a vintage clothing company in London. They're a normal family, as long as they don't talk about the past, never mention the name Biba, and ignore Alice's flashes of dark, dangerous fury.

Karen has kept what really happened that summer of '97 hidden deep inside her. Alice is keeping secrets of her own. But when anonymous notes begin to arrive at Alice's shop, it seems the past is about to catch up with them all ...

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Sunday Time Bestselling author  Harriet Tyce joins me as we share our journeys from the legal world to the literary landscape, revealing the resilience required to embrace the vulnerabilities of writerhood. Whether it's transitioning from barrister to full-time parent, or confronting the fear of unveiling our innermost thoughts to readers, we dissect the emotional and professional pivot points that led us to where we are today. Her debut novel, Blood Orange was a Sunday Times bestseller and long listed for the Theakstons Old Peculiar Crime Novel of the Year 2020.  Our discussion meanders through the cathartic process of writing that balances our sustained passions with life's unpredictable rhythm and Harriet's new novel, "A Lesson In Cruelty."

A Lesson in Cruelty

They say you can't always get what you want. But you can take it.

Anna wants a fresh start. She doesn't believe she deserves it, but after three years behind bars she has finally paid her dues. Most of them, anyway.

Lucy craves the attention of the only man she can't have, her alluring Oxford professor. He's married - not for the first time. Maybe she should be next in line?

Marie the recluse has been locked up for too long. She's not ready to be free, but some rules are meant to be broken.

Everyone wants a perfect life. But not everyone is prepared to take it.

Unless someone decides to teach them a lesson.



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 Our latest episode with Sunday Times bestselling author, C.L. Taylor, uncovers the raw emotions and steadfast determination behind her shift from romantic comedy to gripping crime fiction. C.L. Taylor opens up about the tumultuous voyage from being dropped by an editor to reviving her career with a surge in ebook sales, providing an authentic roadmap for writers navigating the unpredictable tides of the publishing world.

Her latest novel, "Every Move You Make," draws from her own daunting experiences with stalking, teaching us about the weight of turning personal history into public narrative. The episode doesn't just recount an author's tale—it offers a mirror for self-reflection and underlines the resilience necessary to forge a triumphant path in the ever-evolving narrative of the publishing landscape. Join us for this intimate exploration into the heart of a writer's craft and the courage to share one's truest stories with the world.

Every Move You Make
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer…


Alexandra, Lucy, Bridget, River and Natalie. Five friends who wish they’d never met. Because the one thing they have in common is the worst thing in their lives: they are all being stalked.


When one of their group is murdered, days after their stalker is released from prison, time stands still for them all. They know their lives could end just as brutally at any moment – all it takes is for the people they fear the most to catch up with them.


When the group receive a threat that one of them will die in ten days’ time, the terror that stalks their daily lives becomes all-consuming. But they know they don’t want to be victims anymore – it’s time to turn the tables and finally get their revenge.


Because the only way to stop a stalker is to become one yourself…

Follow C.L.Taylor


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In the intricate dance between public fascination with crime and the harsher truths of the streets, Neil  Lancaster and Nadine Matheson  ponder the poignant narratives that informed  his career in law enforcement—the young lives ensnared in cycles of violence, the societal underpinnings of crime, and the quest for redemption. Neil's forthcoming book, "The Devil You Know, promises a tale that not only grips the reader but highlights the consequential nature of missing persons cases. We dissect the unpredictable alchemy of writing success—where a blend of fortuitous timing and heartfelt reader relationships can coalesce into accolades like a McElvaney Prize long-listing or the coveted title of Waterstones Scottish Book of the Month.  This conversation is an immersion into the profound journeys that shape us and the impact of embracing the unexpected chapters of our lives.

The Devil You Know

A CASE GONE COLD


Six years ago, Beata Dabrowski arranged to meet her lover in Glasgow and was never seen again. There were no leads. . . until now.


AN UNRELIABLE WITNESS 


Imprisoned gang boss Davie Hardie wants to talk in exchange for his freedom. He knows exactly where Beata is buried, and he’s prepared to take the police to her grave.


A KILLER DESPERATE TO ESCAPE


But when the mission to locate Beata’s body is hijacked, DS Max Craigie is drafted on to the case. Someone is selling secrets.


Max will stop at nothing to expose police corruption and uncover Beata’s murderer. . . but can you ever really trust a killer to catch a killer?

Follow Neil Lancaster


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