Picture a British storyteller who spun the windswept Faroe Islands into gripping Nordic noir—meet Chris Ould! A BAFTA-winning screenwriter turned novelist, Ould has carved a niche in mystery and crime fiction with his atmospheric Faroes series and young adult thrillers. His knack for blending intricate plots with vivid settings has hooked readers worldwide, making him a rising star in the genre.
From gritty TV scripts to page-turning novels, Ould’s journey is one of storytelling mastery. With a contract at Usborne Publishing promising more, his tales of detectives and dark secrets are just getting started. Ready to dive into his world?
The Making of Chris Ould
Born in the UK, Chris Ould’s early life is a bit like one of his mysteries—details are scarce, but the clues point to a creative spark. Before novels, he made waves as a screenwriter, penning over eighty hours of TV drama, including hits like The Bill and Hornblower. His BAFTA win for The Bill showcased his talent for crafting compelling narratives. Ould’s shift to novels in the 1980s was a natural leap, fueled by a love for storytelling that thrives in both scripts and pages.
His curiosity about unique settings, like the remote Faroe Islands, shaped his crime fiction career. After years in TV, Ould returned to novels with a fresh perspective, blending his screenwriting polish with a novelist’s depth. This fusion set the stage for his standout Faroes series.
Chris Ould’s Unforgettable Stories
Ould’s Faroes series, a trilogy launched with The Blood Strand (2016), is his crown jewel. Set in the stark, stormy Faroe Islands, it follows Jan Reyna, a British detective born in the Faroes but raised in England after his mother’s tragic departure. In The Blood Strand, Reyna returns to investigate a murky case tied to his estranged father, unraveling family secrets against a bleak, Nordic backdrop. The Killing Bay (2017) dives into tensions over whale hunting, while The Fire Pit (2018) uncovers a hidden skeleton, cementing Ould’s knack for layered mysteries.
Beyond the Faroes, Ould’s Street Duty series, including Knock Down (2012) and The Killing Street (2013), targets young adult readers with gritty crime tales. His standalone novels, like Road Lines and A Kind of Sleep, showcase his versatility. Ould’s style—moody, procedural, and rich with cultural nuance—evokes Scandinavian noir while staying distinctly ‘Scandi-Brit.’ His settings are characters in themselves, from the Faroes’ cliffs to England’s urban sprawl, pulling readers into every twist.
Critics praise Ould’s seamless plotting and authentic dialogue, comparing his work to Ann Cleeves’ Shetland series. His ability to weave personal quests, like Reyna’s search for his roots, with gripping investigations keeps readers hooked. Ould’s research, including chats with Faroese police, adds a realistic edge that grounds his fiction.
Why Chris Ould Matters
Chris Ould has put the Faroe Islands on the crime fiction map, offering a fresh take on Nordic noir. His stories resonate with fans of atmospheric mysteries, blending the genre’s bleak beauty with emotional depth. By spotlighting a lesser-known setting, Ould invites readers to explore a culture steeped in Viking roots and modern tensions, like the controversial grindadrap whale hunt. His work bridges British and Scandinavian crime traditions, earning him a unique spot in the genre.
Ould’s impact extends to inspiring new readers, especially young adults, through his accessible Street Duty series. His ongoing deal with Usborne hints at more stories to come, ensuring his influence will grow. For fans of Henning Mankell or Peter May, Ould’s books are a must-read, proving that even remote islands hold secrets worth uncovering.
- Key Works: The Blood Strand, The Killing Bay, The Fire Pit, The Killing Street
- Awards: BAFTA for The Bill
- Fun Fact: Ould lives in Dorset, where he keeps sheep!
Snag The Blood Strand and dive into Chris Ould’s thrilling Nordic noir today!