Picture a Scottish storyteller who spins gripping tales of crime and human resilience—meet Claire Askew! Born in 1986, this novelist and poet has carved a niche in the literary world with her emotionally charged DI Helen Birch series, starting with the award-winning All the Hidden Truths. From Edinburgh’s cobbled streets to the hearts of readers, Askew’s stories explore the raw aftermath of tragedy with a poet’s touch.
With a PhD in Creative Writing and a passion for mentoring new writers, Askew is more than an author—she’s a champion of storytelling. Her work blends gritty crime fiction with lyrical prose, making her a standout voice in Scottish literature. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the life and legacy of this captivating wordsmith.
The Making of Claire Askew
Born in the rural Scottish Borders in 1986, Claire Askew grew up surrounded by wild landscapes that sparked her imagination. She moved to Edinburgh in 2004 to study at the University of Edinburgh, earning degrees in English Literature, Creative Writing, and a PhD in Creative Writing. Her academic journey wasn’t just about books—it was where she honed her craft, later becoming Writer in Residence at her alma mater. Askew’s early poetry, published in outlets like The Guardian, laid the foundation for her lyrical storytelling, blending raw emotion with sharp insight.
Her shift to fiction came with a bang when Hodder & Stoughton snapped up her debut novel in 2017 after a fierce four-way auction. Inspired by real-world tragedies, Askew found her calling in crime fiction, where she could explore the human cost of violence through a compassionate lens. Her background as a poet gave her a unique edge, infusing her prose with a rhythm that pulls readers in.
Claire Askew’s Unforgettable Stories
Askew’s debut novel, All the Hidden Truths (2018), is a gut-punch of a story about a college shooting in Edinburgh. Told through the eyes of three women—DI Helen Birch, a victim’s mother, and the shooter’s mother—it’s less a whodunit and more a heart-wrenching whydunit. The book won the 2016 Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize and the 2019 Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year, cementing Askew’s place in crime fiction. Its poetic prose and multi-perspective narrative tackle grief, blame, and societal fallout with unflinching honesty.
The DI Helen Birch series continues with What You Pay For (2019), where Birch faces a personal crisis when her long-lost brother reappears, tangled in a criminal underworld. Cover Your Tracks (2020) and A Matter of Time (2022) deepen Birch’s character, blending tense investigations with emotional depth. Askew’s poetry collections, like This Changes Things (2016) and How to Burn a Woman (2021), explore themes of outcast women and historical defiance, showcasing her versatility. Her non-fiction guide, Novelista (2020), offers practical advice for aspiring writers, reflecting her commitment to the craft.
Askew’s style is a masterclass in balance: her crime novels are pacey yet introspective, with characters who feel achingly real. Her poet’s ear for language elevates even the darkest scenes, making every page resonate. Whether she’s writing about witches or detectives, Askew’s work digs into the complexities of human nature, asking tough questions without easy answers.
Why Claire Askew Matters
Claire Askew’s impact goes beyond her books. Her DI Helen Birch series has redefined Scottish crime fiction, offering a female-led perspective that’s both tough and tender. Her exploration of trauma and resilience resonates with readers worldwide, earning praise from critics like Ian Rankin. As a tutor for women’s writing initiatives like Write Like A Grrrl!, Askew empowers new voices, fostering a more inclusive literary landscape. Her work as a Scottish Book Trust Reading Champion further amplifies her dedication to literacy and community.
In a genre often dominated by formulaic plots, Askew’s blend of poetic prose and psychological depth stands out. She’s not just telling stories—she’s sparking conversations about grief, justice, and what it means to be human. Her growing fanbase and critical acclaim suggest she’s only just begun to shape the literary world.
- Born: March 10, 1986, Scottish Borders
- Key Works: All the Hidden Truths, What You Pay For, This Changes Things, How to Burn a Woman
- Awards: 2016 Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, 2019 Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year
Snag All the Hidden Truths and dive into Claire Askew’s thrilling, heartfelt world of crime and poetry—you won’t be able to put it down!