Picture a British storyteller who turned a garden shed in Devon into a crime fiction powerhouse—meet Mark Sennen! With a knack for weaving gritty, atmospheric thrillers, Sennen’s journey from self-publishing to bestseller lists is as gripping as his novels. His Detective Inspector Charlotte Savage series, starting with the Amazon chart-topping Touch, has captivated readers with its blend of psychological depth and Devon’s haunting landscapes.
Born in Surrey and raised in rural Shropshire, Sennen’s diverse life—think tractor-driving, sheep-worming, and coding—fuels his unique storytelling. Now, nestled by a muddy creek in South Devon, he crafts tales that keep you up all night, proving that even quiet corners of England hide dark secrets.
The Making of Mark Sennen
Mark Sennen’s early years in Shropshire were far from the crime-ridden streets of his novels. Growing up in a rural setting, he learned to navigate tractors and village dances, where boys and girls eyed each other from opposite sides of the hall. After studying Cultural Studies at the University of Birmingham, Sennen dabbled in farming, drumming, and programming, even flirting with a Ph.D. before abandoning it. His programming suite turned writer’s den became the birthplace of his fiction, where his love for sailing and the rugged Devon coast seeped into his work.
Sennen’s leap into writing was bold. In 2011, with programming projects scarce, he self-published Touch, a gritty thriller that rocketed to Amazon’s number one thriller spot. This success caught HarperCollins’ eye, launching his DI Charlotte Savage series and cementing his place in crime fiction.
Mark Sennen’s Unforgettable Stories
Sennen’s DI Charlotte Savage series, set in Plymouth, is the heart of his bibliography. Touch (2011) introduces Charlotte, a foul-mouthed, flawed detective tackling brutal crimes against a backdrop of cream teas and Dartmoor’s eerie crags. Its nail-biting pace and serial killer’s psyche hooked readers, with Alex Kava calling it a “pulse-racing thriller.” Bad Blood (2013) dives deeper into Charlotte’s world, blending police procedural with psychological twists, while Cut Dead (2014) explores satanic undertones on Dartmoor, showcasing Sennen’s knack for local color.
Beyond Savage, Sennen ventured into espionage with the Holm and da Silva series, starting with The Sanction (2020), praised as “unputdownable” by Nick Oldham. His standalone thriller, The Sum of All Sins (2020), mixes rural noir with psychological depth, set on Dartmoor’s unforgiving moors. Sennen’s style—minimalist, vivid, and character-driven—draws on his programming precision, crafting plots that feel both believable and electrifying.
His Devon settings are practically characters themselves, from Plymouth’s gritty streets to Dartmoor’s misty wilderness. Sennen’s love for Graham Hurley’s crime novels shines through in his humanized cops and despicable villains, making his stories resonate with fans of Harlan Coben and Daniel Silva.
Why Mark Sennen Matters
Mark Sennen’s impact lies in his ability to transform quiet Devon into a stage for heart-pounding crime. His self-publishing success with Touch inspired aspiring authors, showing that talent and grit can break through traditional barriers. The DI Charlotte Savage series, now eight books strong, has built a loyal following for its raw, relatable characters and meticulous plots, earning praise for capturing abuse and trauma with sensitivity.
Sennen’s shift to espionage and standalone thrillers proves his versatility, appealing to readers beyond crime fiction purists. Living in Devon with his wife, two children, and a large dog, he continues to write, with fans eagerly awaiting the next Savage novel. His stories remind us that even in serene settings, darkness lurks, waiting to be uncovered.
- Born: Surrey, England
- Key Works: Touch, Bad Blood, The Sanction, The Sum of All Sins
- Resides: South Devon, England
- Influence: Inspired by Graham Hurley
Ready for a thrilling ride? Snag Touch and dive into Mark Sennen’s electrifying crime world!