Picture a British storyteller who turned her knack for sniffing out real-life crime into gripping fiction—meet L.M. Krier! Writing under a pen name, Lesley Tither has hooked readers with her Ted Darling Crime Series, blending her journalism chops with a flair for character-driven mysteries. From courtrooms to Stockport streets, her tales are as authentic as they are thrilling.
With a career that’s seen her sell a script to Hollywood at 16 and dig into offshore finance scandals, Krier’s life is a plot twist waiting to happen. Her stories don’t just solve crimes—they pull you into the quirky, complex world of DI Ted Darling, a detective who’s anything but ordinary.
The Making of L.M. Krier
Born and raised in Stockport, Cheshire, Lesley Tither didn’t stumble into writing—she sprinted. At 16, she sold a piece to a Hollywood production company, a feat that left her newspaper-editor dad gobsmacked. That early win set the stage for a career hopping from journalism—covering criminal and coroner’s courts—to roles like case tracker for the Crown Prosecution Service. She even ran a holiday riding center and played ‘charity mugger’ for a wildlife cause!
Retired from the newsroom, Krier now lives in France’s Auvergne region with her rescued border collies. Her diverse past fuels her fiction, giving it a gritty, lived-in feel that readers can’t resist. It all started with a dream—literally—when a crime story synopsis woke her up, begging to be written.
L.M. Krier’s Unforgettable Stories
The Ted Darling Crime Series is Krier’s crown jewel, kicking off with Baby’s Got Blue Eyes in 2015. Readers fell hard for DI Ted Darling, a pint-sized cop with four black belts and a soft spot for his diverse team. The prequel, The First Time Ever (2017), dives into his backstory, while Two Little Boys tackles dark themes like pedophile rings with unflinching depth.
Her style? Think traditional British police procedurals with a twist—less gore, more heart. Krier’s knack for dialogue and character shines through, whether Ted’s sparring with a suspect or bantering with his partner, Trev. With 22 books and counting, including gems like Cry for the Bad Man, she keeps the plots tight and the stakes personal, all while editing as she goes—a habit from her journalism days.
Stockport’s shadowy streets set the scene, and Krier’s ‘Ted Bible’—a character cheat-sheet—ensures every detail, from music tastes to favorite snacks, stays spot-on. It’s no wonder fans clamor for more of this ‘unputdownable’ series.
Why L.M. Krier Matters
L.M. Krier isn’t just spinning yarns—she’s redefining indie crime fiction. Her Ted Darling series has carved a niche for its fresh take on the genre, earning her a spot as an ‘Outstanding Indie Crime Fiction Author’ in 2019. Readers love the realism, drawn from her court-reporting days, and the emotional pull of her characters.
Living quietly in France, Krier’s impact ripples through a loyal fanbase who’ve turned her books into a word-of-mouth sensation. She’s proof that a seasoned storyteller can strike gold later in life, blending experience with imagination to keep crime fiction exciting and human.
- About L.M. Krier:
- Born: Cheshire, England
- Key Works: Ted Darling Crime Series (22 books)
- Notable: Sold a script to Hollywood at 16
- Lives: Auvergne, France
Ready for a thrilling read? Snag Baby’s Got Blue Eyes and step into L.M. Krier’s addictive crime world—you won’t look back!