The Conversation with Nadine Matheson

What does it take to survive 25 years on the front line of British policing and come out the other side as a Sunday Times bestselling author? In this episode of The Conversation, Nadine Matheson sits down with John Sutherland, former Metropolitan Police Commander, hostage negotiator, mental health advocate, and author of the acclaimed crime fiction trilogy featuring detectives Alex Lewis and Pip Williams.John opens up about the nervous breakdown that ended his policing career and became the catalyst for his writing, the staggering frequency of trauma that police officers face compared to the general public, and why "it's people, stupid" is the most important lesson leadership ever taught him.They also get into the making of his latest novel The Castle , a life-or-death chase thriller set in the Scottish Highlands Join Nadine and John as they explore the intersection of crime, storytelling, and the human experience, reminding us that we are all more than the worst thing we've done.Follow John SutherlandBuy The Castle

Nadine is joined by three brilliant Black British crime writers for a special live edition of The Conversation. Together they explore the dark, thrilling, and deeply human world of crime fiction and what it means to be writing it right now.Guests:Remi Kone: TV producer (Killing Eve, Spooks) and author of the DI Leah Hutch series. Her second book, Just Kill, is out now.Mel Pennant: Solicitor and author of the Miss Hortense Mysteries. Her second book, Miss Hortense and the Last Rites, is out 2nd July.Scarlett Brade: Author of The Hive and the upcoming destination thriller The Carnival, set in Jamaica. Out 16th July.In this episode:Why crime fiction? All four writers on what drew them to the genre and why it's ultimately hopefulHow characters take on a life of their own (and refuse to do what you planned)Writing Black women front and centre not as victims or side characters, but as leadsCaribbean culture, patois, and Nine Nights: writing authentically without explanationThe subgenres of crime: procedural, cozy, psychological, destination thriller and whether we're seeing a new waveThe darkest things they've Googled for research (white paint, organ scales, and throat-cutting trajectories)What their writing and publishing journeys have taught them about themselvesBooks mentioned:Just Kill - Remi Kone (out now)Miss Hortense and the Last Rites - Mel Pennant (2nd July)The Carnival - Scarlett Brade (16th July)The Jigsaw Man, The Binding Room - Nadine Matheson

Watch The Conversation Live: Crime Writers Special Tuesday 16 June 2026 at 7pm: YouTube | Facebook | Instagram Live This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson is joined by the talented Elle McNicoll, bestselling author of the new novel Unapologetic Love Story. Elle shares the inspiration behind her book, which explores the life of a neurodivergent podcaster and her relationship with a surly journalist, all wrapped in a contemporary romance that defies expectations.In this engaging episode, Elle discusses the challenges of being an autistic author in a public industry, the importance of protecting one’s energy, and the ever-present specter of imposter syndrome. Nadine and Elle dive deep into the realities of writing, the pressure of public perception, and the joy of storytelling without the burden of educational expectations.Listeners will gain insight into the importance of community among writers, the nuances of navigating the publishing world, and the balance between creativity and the demands of the industry. This conversation is a heartfelt reminder of the power of love, friendship, and the stories we tell.Buy Unapologetic Love StoryFollow Elle McNicoll

Watch as a full video episode on YouTubeThis week, we discuss why the publishing industry is pointing fingers at libraries for declining author incomes, but we wonder about the reasons they aren't talking about. Plus, have you heard of Elias Thorne? We talk about AI's repetition problem and why that may be good news for authors. And we revisit the thorny issue of book lists - after we criticised the Guardian's first 'Best 100 books', is their Readers' list any better?00:00 Intro01:14 Declining Author Income - Libraries to Blame?14:13 Thorne in the Machine - AI Running Out of Ideas?23:38 Guardian Top 100 - Readers vs Critics30:40 Stranger Than Fiction - Nadine's Idea Factory38.23 The Final Chapter - Horrifyingly GoodLinks:Authors Guild Looks at Why Author Incomes are in DeclineChatbots Keep Telling Stories about Lighthouse Keeper 'Elias Thorne'. We Might Know WhyWikipedia may have built the best AI writing detection guideThe Guardian Readers top 100 novels of all timePokémon Go data trained AI that could assist military drones in war zonesAdventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more! Find all our shows here!Follow us on BlueskyFollow us on Instagram

This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson welcomes the insightful Deepa Anappara, journalist, creative writing lecturer and author of the award-winning debut novel Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line. Deepa joins Nadine to discuss her latest book, The Last of Earth, a historical novel set in 1869 that explores the complexities of imperialism through the eyes of its characters.In this captivating episode, Deepa shares her experiences navigating the literary world as a writer of color, the challenges of portraying historical figures authentically, and the impact of societal expectations on storytelling. The conversation delves into the nuances of race, representation, and the importance of diverse voices in literature, all while highlighting the personal motivations that drive Deepa's writing.Listeners will gain insight into the realities of writing during a pandemic, the role of AI in the publishing industry, and the significance of mentorship for emerging writers. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of resilience, creativity, and the power of storytelling.Buy The Last of EarthFollow Deepa Anappara

Award-winning author David Goodman returns to The Conversation for a Coffee Break to talk about his second spy thriller, Solitary Agents, the follow-up to his debut A Reluctant Spy. David won the McDermid New Blood Award and the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize and in this conversation, he gets honest about how lucky he was to have finished his second book before that happened.We get into the premise of Solitary Agents (what if you thought something was an exercise, but it wasn't?), the joy of finally giving fan-favourite Sally Lime her own point of view, and the two walls David hit during the drafting process and how he got through them. We also talk about the unexpected side of publishing life, the difference between being a writer and being an author, why both of us are glad we came to this in our forties, and why writing what you love will always beat chasing trends.David Goodman's Book recommendation: Rat Race by Callum McSorleyBuy Solitary AgentsFollow David Goodman

What does it take to walk away from a West End career, start over as a novelist and then have every major publisher turn you down before landing a three-book deal?In this episode of The Conversation, Nadine Matheson sits down with Felix Mosse, former West End actor (Les Misérables, The Book of Mormon), TV and film script editor, and now debut author of the epic fantasy The Mistral.Felix is refreshingly candid about the whole journey, the moment COVID forced him to rethink acting, what it actually feels like to sit on submission for the better part of a year, and how a decade spent shaping other people’s scripts made him a sharper and more resilient writer. He and Nadine also dig into the world of The Mistral itself: a dying divine wind, a deliberately diverse cast, and the choice to leave most of his characters’ appearances open to the reader’s imagination. It’s a warm, honest conversation about reinvention, persistence, and making peace with your inner nerd.Follow Felix MosseBuy The Mistral Listen To: Nerd Culture: Lore & Craft Podcast

This week on The Conversation, Nadine Matheson is joined by the talented author Foluso Agbaje, whose new novel The Talk of the Party invites readers into the glamorous yet tumultuous world of high society Lagos. What does it take to leave a corporate career and survive the chaos of the publishing world.Foluso Agbaje reflects on her journey from childhood storytelling to becoming a published author, discussing the challenges of writing diverse voices and the importance of representation in literature. With insights into her creative process and the emotional rollercoaster of writing, this episode is a rich exploration of resilience, creativity, and the power of narrative. Get ready for a conversation filled with laughter, wisdom, and the undeniable magic of storytelling.Buy The Talk of the PartyFollow Foluso Agbaje

Watch as a full video episode on YouTubeThis week, we're expanding on our discussion from the last episode about the depressing HarperCollins report on children's reading habits. Author and teacher Cailean Steed joins us to break down the underlying data and explain exactly how hyper-fixating on rigid literacy metrics is actively destroying the sheer joy of reading for kids. Plus, we talk about - of course - AI, as we talk about the Commonwealth Short Story Prize winner scandal, and discuss Nobel Laureate Olga Tokarczuk response to the talk of AI involvement in her work. And we find time to talk about the Guardian's "Best books of all time" list - and make Tariq talk about football again.00:00 Intro01:08 Literacy vs Joy: Let Kids Enjoy Reading: Cailean Steed Interview22:15 Snake Oil Award - Prize-winning Pile On37:50 Tokarczuk Prize - An Ignoble Use of AI?44:02 Stranger Than Fiction - Nadine's Idea Factory52.26 The Final Chapter - Who are books lists for?Links:Literacy focus ‘actively undermining’ reading for pleasure, HarperCollins finds‘Obvious markers of AI’: doubts raised over winner of short story prizeRead The Serpent in the Grove and decide for yourselfOlga Tokarczuk has responded to the controversy over her reputed use of AIThe Guardian 100 Best Books of All TimeAdventures in Publishing-land is brought to you by STET Podcasts - the one stop shop for all your writing podcast needs, featuring Page One - The Writer's Podcast, The Conversation with Nadine Matheson and more!Follow us on BlueskyFollow us on Instagram