DIVE a totally gripping, breathlessly twisty crime mystery

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I really liked Josh Winning’s first book The Shadow Glass so his second book, Burn the Negative, really appeals to me. Any events in the near future? Jon’s enthusiasm for my work was infectious. As a complete beginner I am amazed at what I have achieved.” — Gail Walker Dive” is the first stand alone novel and was released in 2023. Dive right into London’s most dangerous crime scene: the River Thames. Many of our students find lifelong writing friends on our courses. Are you still in touch with anyone you met during the courses you took? David Cade an ex marine now working as a Police Diver. The rules are simple bring up the bodies, hand them over and move on. But suddenly it becomes personal and David is afraid the next body that is brought up could be his daughter.

David Cadeis an experienced frogman, satisfied to lose himself in diving in the river. But his obsession with the job has caused his home life to implode. He wants to be part of his daughter’s life, if only he could figure out how. Naomi Hardingis held accountable after three of her colleagues are killed during a raid she was leading. Her punishment is to be side-lined to the Marine Policing Unit, or ‘frogmen’, whose main aim is to dredge up dead bodies from the Thames and pass them on to the ‘real’ police. DIVE by Jon Barton was an excellent book, especially as Jon was a new author to me and I love finding and reading from new authors, Dive was full of great twists and turns from start to finish and its a new police procedural book set in London's most dangerous crime scene — the River Thames. This features two main characters - Met DI Naomi Harding and Marine Police Sergeant David Cade.Naomi and David will need to learn how to work together on this if they are going to solve this murder and find Lex. Then they find something which threatens to blow the case apart. Assuming it doesn’t get them killed first. Another thing I really enjoy when writing these books is finding out about different parts of Britain. My wife is my graphic designer and we seek out beautiful houses to include, which often influence the stories. My characters live in palatial Cranley Hall, in my home county of Surrey, but they often have to travel to investigate murders and have been to the Lake District, the Cotswolds, Wiltshire, London and Dartmoor. My recent book The Crimes of Clearwell Castle was particularly influenced by the setting and I had a lot of fun weaving local traditions and legends into the plot. Jon gave great tips and advice for further development so our wasn’t just confined to our sessions.” — Hazel Raina

Each time David pulls a new victim out of the water, he fears it’s his estranged fifteen-year-old daughter Lex. She went missing after they had a fierce argument and he hasn’t heard from her since. I was fortunate enough to forge close connections that’ll last a lifetime, and the writing community is generally friendly and supportive because we all share the same challenges. It’s been one of the highlights of my journey so far to meet authors online and in person – because the authors I’ve met are genuinely lovely people. David and Naomi must work together if they're going to solve the dead girls' murders and find Lex. Then they uncover something that will threaten to blow the case apart — if it doesn't get them killed first . . . Yes I was. I read a lot of Roald Dahl and Terry Pratchett, and because I loved movies I read a lot of novel adaptations for the films I enjoyed at the time. I think that’s why I found my way to Michael Crichton when I was too young to really understand what he was writing about. What were your favourite childhood books?

Jon Barton

I find it useful to keep in mind what kind of experience I want the reader(s) to have. Returning readers approach each book in a series with inherited knowledge of the setting and the characters. I personally love being rewarded for my attention with those recurring details, but I also want to attract new readers. So the first and last questions I ask are: what kind of experience do you want both sets of readers to have? What’s different about this story that creates unique conflict for the characters? Do you have any tips for our readers who are writing a series of books as opposed to writing a standalone novel? Naomi Harding is held accountable after three of her colleagues are killed during a raid she was leading. Her punishment is to be side-lined to the Marine Policing Unit, or ‘frogmen’, whose main aim is to dredge up dead bodies from the Thames and pass them on to the ‘real’ police.

Fans of Robert Bryndza, Patricia Gibney, Angela Marsons, Biba Pearce and Line of Duty, prepare to dive into your new favourite read! A gritty and dark story, gripping and well plotted . . . The final part is adrenaline fuelled. Highly recommended.’ Anna M.I’ve used editors in the past, and none of them came close to Jon’s competence. He cares about what the writer is trying to accomplish. He was professional and thorough.” — William Peace A high-flying detective recently tossed out of the CID. A police diver with an imploding home life. And a case which could get them both killed. At the centre of my historical series is the relationship between the imperious Lord Edgington, a retired policeman, and his naïve grandson Christopher. In each book their relationship develops, and the initially bumbling assistant becomes a little more capable and confident as the pair investigate countless twisting mysteries. The books are written for adults, but I know that readers appreciate the unique perspective of the youthful narrator.