Picture a Scottish storyteller who swaps hard hats for plot twists, weaving science and suspense into unputdownable thrillers—meet Fiona Erskine! A chemical engineer by day and crime writer by night, Erskine crafts gripping tales inspired by her globe-trotting career in male-dominated industries. Her Jacqueline Silver Adventures series electrifies readers with explosive action and a fierce female lead who’s part scientist, part jet-setting sleuth.
From Teesside to the snowy Alps, Erskine’s stories pulse with authenticity, drawing on her experiences in factories, cargo ships, and boardrooms where she was often the only woman. Her unique blend of technical know-how and storytelling flair has made her a standout voice in mystery and thriller fiction.
The Making of Fiona Erskine
Born in Edinburgh, Fiona Erskine grew up with a rebellious streak, strumming guitars, racing motorbikes, and diving into icy waters. She studied Chemical Engineering at Cambridge University, where she honed her technical skills alongside apprentices in Paisley, learning to weld, cast, and machine. Her career took her to Brazil, Russia, India, and China, working on fertilizer factories, oil terminals, and construction projects. These experiences in male-dominated spaces shaped her perspective and fueled her desire to write stories that showcase strong women in STEM. When a dream engineering job soured, writing became her escape, and the seeds for her debut novel were sown.
Fiona Erskine’s Unforgettable Stories
Erskine’s Jacqueline Silver Adventures series kicks off with The Chemical Detective (2019), a high-octane thriller following Dr. Jaq Silver, a skier, scientist, and explosives expert who uncovers a chemical weapons conspiracy while working on avalanche control in Slovenia. Shortlisted for the Specsavers Debut Crime Novel Award, it’s a whirlwind of action and geeky chemistry details. The sequel, The Chemical Reaction (2020), dives into art theft and green tech scandals in China, earning a Staunch Prize shortlist spot for its bold storytelling.
Erskine’s third installment, The Chemical Cocktail (2022), sees Jaq tackling a family mystery from Portugal to Brazil, blending personal stakes with her signature scientific rigor. Her latest series entry, The Chemical Code (2023), delivers more heart-pounding action, praised as a “21st-century 007-style thriller.” Beyond the series, Phosphate Rocks: A Death in Ten Objects (2021) offers a semi-autobiographical mystery set in a Leith fertilizer factory, unraveling a mummified corpse’s secrets through ten cryptic clues. Erskine’s standalone novel Losing Control (2024) brings murder and intrigue to Teesside, cementing her knack for local flavor and global stakes.
Her writing style is a delicious cocktail of technical precision and cinematic suspense, laced with witty observations and cultural insights. Erskine’s novels don’t just entertain—they educate, weaving in lessons on rare-earth elements, explosives, and even Chinese history, all while championing women in engineering.
Why Fiona Erskine Matters
Fiona Erskine is more than a thriller writer; she’s a trailblazer shattering stereotypes in both engineering and literature. Her protagonist, Jaq Silver, is a beacon for women in STEM, proving that brains and bravery can outshine any boys’ club. Erskine’s stories resonate with readers craving authentic, smart heroines who navigate high-stakes worlds with grit and grace. Her work has inspired a new wave of engineering-themed fiction, earning praise from outlets like Engineering & Technology for its scientific depth and pulse-pounding plots.
By blending her insider’s view of industry with a passion for storytelling, Erskine empowers aspiring engineers and writers alike, especially women, to lean into their ambitions. Her growing fanbase eagerly awaits her next adventure, proof of her lasting impact on the mystery genre.
- Born: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Key Works: The Chemical Detective, Phosphate Rocks, Losing Control
- Awards: Shortlisted for Specsavers Debut Crime Novel Award (2019), Staunch Prize (2020)
- Fun Fact: Erskine once lived in a brothel, mistaking it for a guesthouse!
About Fiona Erskine
Snag The Chemical Detective and dive into Fiona Erskine’s thrilling world of science and suspense—your inner sleuth will thank you!