Picture a seaside storyteller spinning tales of secrets and suspense—meet Heidi Perks! This Bournemouth-based English author has captivated readers with her psychological thrillers, blending heart-pounding plots with the messy beauty of family ties. From her breakout hit Now You See Her to the chilling The Last Resort, Perks crafts stories that keep you guessing until the final page.
Born and raised in Bournemouth, Perks traded a high-flying marketing career for the thrill of writing, proving that it’s never too late to chase a dream. Her novels, often set along England’s south coast, draw inspiration from the picturesque towns she calls home, where beauty hides dark secrets.
The Making of Heidi Perks
Heidi Perks grew up in Bournemouth, surrounded by books and the sea. As a child, she devoured Enid Blyton and dreamed up stories, even selling homemade magazines to family for pocket change. After earning a degree in Retail Management from Bournemouth University in 1997, she dove into marketing, eventually becoming a director in London. But the pull of storytelling was stronger. In 2012, she left her job to focus on family and writing, enrolling in the Curtis Brown Creative Novel Writing Course. Her debut, Beneath the Surface, hit shelves in 2016, marking the start of a remarkable career.
Heidi Perks’s Unforgettable Stories
Perks’s novels are psychological thrillers that dig deep into relationships, secrets, and betrayal. Her breakout, Now You See Her (2018), follows a mother whose friend’s child vanishes under her watch, earning a Sunday Times Bestseller spot and a Richard and Judy Book Club pick. Come Back For Me (2019) weaves a tale of family secrets on a remote island, praised for its twists. Three Perfect Liars (2020) explores workplace drama and hidden truths, while The Last Resort (2023) delves into a marriage unraveling under a sinister counselor’s influence. Perks’s style—taut, emotional, and full of surprises—makes her books impossible to put down.
Her settings, often inspired by Bournemouth’s coast, ground her stories in vivid detail. Perks has a knack for crafting flawed, relatable characters, from desperate mothers to distrustful spouses, whose choices drive the suspense. With seven novels, including the upcoming Someone Is Lying (2025), and an eighth in the works for 2026, she’s a prolific force in crime fiction.
Why Heidi Perks Matters
Heidi Perks has carved a niche in psychological thrillers, offering more than just chills. Her focus on family dynamics and the ripple effects of secrets resonates with readers, making her stories both thrilling and deeply human. Her rise from marketing to bestselling author inspires aspiring writers, showing that persistence pays off. With over 250,000 copies of Now You See Her sold, earning a Nielsen Bestseller Award, Perks’s impact is undeniable. She’s a voice for those who love a good twist and a reminder that even quiet seaside towns hide dark tales.
- Born: Bournemouth, England
- Key Works: Now You See Her, Come Back For Me, Three Perfect Liars, The Last Resort
- Awards: Nielsen Bestseller Award (2021) for Now You See Her
Ready for a page-turner? Grab Now You See Her and dive into Heidi Perks’s world of suspense and secrets!