Picture a British storyteller who traded the sun-soaked streets of Dubai for the misty fens of Lincolnshire, weaving gripping tales of murder and mystery—meet Jack Cartwright! A USA Today bestselling author, Cartwright has captivated readers with his Wild Fens Murder Mystery series, where complex characters like DI Freya Bloom unravel dark secrets against the backdrop of rural England’s haunting landscapes.
Born in Essex, Cartwright’s journey from IT professional to celebrated crime novelist is as twist-filled as his plots. His diverse experiences—spanning architectural photography in the Middle East to settling in a quiet Lincolnshire village—infuse his stories with vivid settings and emotional depth, making him a standout in British crime fiction.
The Making of Jack Cartwright
Raised in Essex, Jack Cartwright’s early life was grounded in the UK’s southeast before he ventured abroad. For much of his adult life, he lived in Dubai, working as an IT professional and architectural photographer. This global perspective shaped his knack for capturing intricate details, a skill that later defined his atmospheric novels. After years of travel, Cartwright and his family settled in Lincolnshire, where the vast fens inspired his pivot to regional crime fiction. His decision to write under the Jack Cartwright pen name marked a new chapter, blending his love for storytelling with a desire to explore the darker corners of human nature.
Jack Cartwright’s Unforgettable Stories
Cartwright’s Wild Fens Murder Mystery series is the heart of his literary legacy, featuring DI Freya Bloom and DS Ben Savage tackling chilling cases in Lincolnshire’s remote countryside. The series, written with TV adaptation in mind, kicked off with Secrets in Blood (2022), where Freya, scarred from a past encounter with a serial killer, navigates a web of lies surrounding a teenager’s death. Its sequel, One For Sorrow (2022), delves into a year-old murder, unraveling secrets hidden by a victim’s inner circle. Later entries like Her Dying Mind (2023) and Burden of Truth (2024) showcase Cartwright’s talent for intricate plots and emotional stakes.
Beyond Wild Fens, Cartwright has penned the DCI Cook Murder Mystery series, starting with A Winter of Blood (2023), and the Deadly Wolds Murder Mystery series, beginning with When the Storm Dies (2024). His style blends gritty realism, dark humor, and a touch of romance, appealing to fans of authors like Ann Cleeves and JM Dalgliesh. With over thirty novels under various pen names, Cartwright’s ability to craft compelling, character-driven mysteries has earned him awards and a loyal readership.
Why Jack Cartwright Matters
Jack Cartwright’s impact lies in his ability to transform Lincolnshire’s quiet fens into a stage for high-stakes drama, proving that small communities harbor big secrets. His focus on regional settings resonates with readers craving authentic, immersive crime fiction. By writing for TV adaptation, he bridges the gap between page and screen, bringing Lincolnshire’s wild beauty to a broader audience. His USA Today bestseller status in 2021 and growing fanbase underscore his influence in the genre, making him a must-read for mystery lovers.
- Key Works: Wild Fens Murder Mystery series, DCI Cook Murder Mystery series
- Awards: USA Today bestseller (2021), various literary awards
- Fun Fact: Cartwright responds personally to reader emails!
Snag Secrets in Blood and dive into Jack Cartwright’s thrilling world of mystery!