Criminal laywer to criminal author

The chilling storyline, intense characters, vivid prose, and unflinching crime scenes make Matheson the heir apparent to Mo Hayder and Thomas Harris.

Get to know South London's bestselling author

Learn more

Criminal laywer to criminal author

The chilling storyline, intense characters, vivid prose, and unflinching crime scenes make Matheson the heir apparent to Mo Hayder and Thomas Harris.

Get to know South London's bestselling author

Learn more

About Nadine Matheson

Nadine Matheson lives in London and is a criminal solicitor. In 2016, she won the City University Crime Writing Competition and completed the Creative Writing (Crime/Thrillers Novels) Master’s Degree with distinction in 2018. IN 2019, Nadine signed with A.M. Heath Literary Agents and her debut crime fiction novel, The Jigsaw Man, was won by HQ (HarperCollins) in a six-publisher auction. The best-selling ‘The Jigsaw Man’ was published in 2021, has been translated into fifteen languages and has been optioned for television.

In March 2022, HQ acquired UK and Commonwealth Rights, in another two-book deal, and Hanover Square Press acquired North American Rights. Nadine’s second novel, The Binding Room, featuring D.I. Henley and the Serial Crimes Unit was published in July 2022. Her novels have been described as “gripping, tension filled and breath-taking”. The Jigsaw Man was described as “One of the best crime novels to read in 2022” by the London Evening Standard.

Nadine is a regular, popular, and enthusiastic speaker at events and regularly engages with schools and libraries. She also uses her platform to support writers via her coaching programmes.

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A Criminal Law Background

Nadine is a solicitor who has specialised in Criminal Law since 2004. She has defended clients charged with high-profile complex fraud and serious violent offences, which includes murder and has appeared at the Central Criminal Court (The Old Bailey) and Criminal Court of Appeal.

Nadine is also an experienced law lecturer and teaches criminal law and advocacy to law students and trainee solicitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How would you describe your D.I. Henley novels?

I’ve called my novels a macabre love letter to South-East London which are intense, authentic, gripping and tightly plotted. The novels show the realities of a criminal investigation but also the impact of an intensive investigation not only on the victims and the family and friends that are left behind but also on the detectives.

Three words to describe D.I. Henley?

Flawed. Committed. Authentic

How has your experience as a Criminal Solicitor informed your novels?

I’ve always felt that my profession has provided me with the best environment to observe human behaviour. Authenticity is very important to me, which means that I’m able to invoke my own personal experience when describing, for example, the claustrophobic feel of a police interview room or the smell of the cells in the court building.

What are your three tips for aspiring writers?

1) Read, read and read.

2) There are no overnight success, so don’t get distracted by who’s on the best-sellers list or who just got a seven-figure deal.

3) Take a break once you’ve finished your first draft.

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The Conversation Podcast

Welcome to the Conversation with Nadine Matheson’ where I sit down with fellow authors for insightful, honest and entertaining conversations.

Visit my Podcast website and join the conversation.

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Latest events

17th Jun 2023

Lyme Crime - 15 - 17 June 2023

Interviews and Conversations with the UK's Leading Crime and Thriller Writers

24th Jun 2023

Manor House Gardens Festival

Only Murders in the Neighbourhood - Local Crime Writers on How Lewisham Inspires Them

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