Helen Matthews writes page-turning psychological suspense novels and is fascinated by the darker side of human nature and how a life can change in an instant. Her novel The Girl in the Van, published by Darkstroke Books, won the suspense and thriller genre in the 2022 Pageturner Awards. Other novels include suspense thriller Girl Out of Sight, which won first prize in the opening pages category at Winchester Writers’ Festival, and Lies Behind the Ruin, domestic noir set in France.. Her third novel Façade was published by Darkstroke Books in 2020.
Born in Cardiff, Helen read English at the University of Liverpool and worked in international development, consultancy, human resources and pensions management. She fled corporate life to work freelance while studying for a Creative Writing MA at Oxford Brookes University. Her stories and flash fiction have been shortlisted and published by Flash 500, 1000K Story, Reflex Press, Artificium and Love Sunday magazine.
She is a keen cyclist, covering long distances if there aren’t any hills, sings in a choir and once appeared on stage at Carnegie Hall, New York in a multi-choir performance. She loves spending time in France. Helen is an Ambassador for the charity, Unseen, which works towards a world without slavery and donates her author talk fees, and a percentage of royalties, to the charity.
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Book cover
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The novel has just been published. Date of publication 17/3/22.
Such strong writing and…
Such strong writing and beautiful phrasing. I was on the edge of my seat with this one, part due to the pacing. Great stuff.
Thank you
In reply to Such strong writing and… by Ruth Millingto…
Thanks so much for your encouraging comments, Ruth. I'm thrilled to have made the longlist. I've started following your adventures in Colombia on Twitter - enjoying the photos and insights from off the beaten track.
Suspenseful!
From the start, we know something big is about to happen--and you follow through well. Then, the seamless flashback adds even more suspense. Well done!
Thank you
In reply to Suspenseful! by Kelly Boyer Sagert
Thanks, Kelly - that's exactly what I was aiming for so I'm delighted it worked for you.