Picture a British storyteller who turned gritty crime tales into Kindle chart-toppers—meet Mel Sherratt! With her pulse-pounding DS Allie Shenton series and emotionally charged 'grit-lit' style, Sherratt has captivated readers since her self-publishing breakthrough in 2012. From the gritty streets of Stoke-on-Trent to international bestseller lists, her stories blend crime, thriller, and women’s fiction with a raw, relatable edge.
Born and raised in Stoke-on-Trent, Sherratt’s journey from housing officer to million-selling author is as gripping as her novels. Her unique voice, blending dark mysteries with strong female leads, has earned her a loyal fanbase and critical acclaim. Let’s dive into the world of this literary trailblazer!
The Making of Mel Sherratt
Mel Sherratt’s love for storytelling sparked early, winning her first writing competition at age eleven. A self-described 'meddler of words,' she always had a pen in hand or her nose in a book. Before becoming a full-time writer, Sherratt worked as a housing officer for nearly a decade, gaining insight into the social dynamics that would later fuel her Estate Series. After years of rejections from traditional publishers, who found her genre-blending style hard to categorize, she took a leap into self-publishing with Amazon Kindle in 2012—a decision that changed her life.
Her debut, Taunting the Dead, soared to number one in Amazon’s police procedural charts, proving her grit-lit vision resonated with readers. Inspired by authors like Martina Cole and Ian Rankin, Sherratt carved her own path, using her hometown as a vivid backdrop for her dark, emotional narratives.
Mel Sherratt’s Unforgettable Stories
Sherratt’s DS Allie Shenton series is the heart of her crime fiction legacy. The series kicks off with Taunting the Dead, where Detective Sergeant Allie Shenton investigates a brutal murder tied to a web of lies and betrayal. Fast-paced and emotionally charged, the six-book series (with a seventh, Family Matters, set for 2025) blends police procedural with psychological thriller elements, set against the gritty streets of Stoke-on-Trent.
Beyond Allie Shenton, Sherratt’s Estate Series—starting with Somewhere to Hide—explores crime and family drama in a fictional housing estate, drawing from her housing officer experience. Titles like Behind a Closed Door delve into domestic struggles and resilience, earning praise for their raw realism. As Marcie Steele, she also pens romantic comedies, showcasing her versatility. Standalone novels like She Did It, a psychological thriller about deception in the publishing world, highlight her knack for twisty, character-driven plots.
Known for 'grit-lit,' Sherratt’s style is dark yet emotional, with strong female characters who face harrowing challenges. Her ability to weave psychological depth into fast-paced mysteries has made her a standout in British crime fiction, with over two million books sold worldwide.
Why Mel Sherratt Matters
Mel Sherratt’s impact goes beyond her bestseller status. Her self-publishing success story inspires aspiring authors, showing that persistence can triumph over rejection. Shortlisted for the CWA Dagger in the Library Award, she’s earned accolades for her authentic, relatable characters and her ability to tackle social issues like crime and domestic strife. Fans and critics, including Ian Rankin, praise her unique voice, which bridges gritty realism with emotional depth.
By setting her stories in Stoke-on-Trent, Sherratt brings a lesser-seen British locale to life, making her work resonate with readers who crave authentic settings. Her influence in the crime genre, especially among female-led narratives, continues to grow, cementing her as a key figure in modern British fiction.
- Key Works: DS Allie Shenton series, Estate Series, She Did It
- Awards: Shortlisted for CWA Dagger in the Library Award
- Fun Fact: Her terrier, Dexter, is named after the TV serial killer!
Ready to get hooked? Snag Taunting the Dead and dive into Mel Sherratt’s gritty, thrilling world of crime fiction!