Picture a queer, working-class storyteller from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne spinning a chilling tale of revenge and mystery—meet Rose Wilding! With her debut novel, Speak of the Devil, Wilding has stormed the British crime fiction scene, blending gritty suspense with feminist fire. Her unique voice, shaped by a life of vibrant experiences, is redefining the mystery genre with stories that pulse with raw emotion and complex characters.
Born and raised in the lively streets of Newcastle, Wilding’s journey from customer service to celebrated author is as twisty as her plots. Her debut has critics buzzing and readers hooked, proving she’s a literary force to watch.
The Making of Rose Wilding
Rose Wilding grew up in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, a city that pulses through her writing with its rugged charm and vibrant community. Working in customer service, she collected quirks and stories from strangers, storing them like treasures for her future tales. Her passion for writing bloomed early, earning her a creative writing prize during her first degree at the University of Sunderland. After a hiatus, a nudge from her GCSE English teacher reignited her spark, leading her to pursue an MA in Creative Writing at The University of Manchester, where she was mentored by the iconic Jeanette Winterson. This pivotal moment honed her craft and set her on the path to literary stardom.
Wilding’s life is a tapestry of bold moves—she once found herself locked down in a camper van in Macclesfield and later navigated a (very amicable) divorce. Her philosophy? If life doesn’t go well, you get a story; if it goes really badly, you get a novel. This resilience shines in her work, making her narratives deeply human and relatable.
Rose Wilding’s Unforgettable Stories
Wilding’s debut, Speak of the Devil, published in 2023 by Baskerville, is a feminist thriller that grabs you from the first page. Set in Newcastle on New Year’s Eve 1999, it follows seven women gathered around a man’s severed head, each with a motive for murder. The novel weaves their stories—wives, exes, colleagues, and more—into a dark tapestry of control, manipulation, and vengeance. Critics praise its vivid characters and Wilding’s pitch-perfect Newcastle dialogue, calling it a “powerful, accomplished debut” that tackles toxic masculinity head-on.
Her writing style is immersive and character-driven, blending gritty realism with emotional depth. Themes of loyalty, love, and resistance against oppressive systems run through her work, reflecting her queer, working-class roots. A second novel, focusing on love and obsession between two women, is in the works, promising a shift in tone but the same gripping storytelling. Wilding’s ability to craft diverse, flawed, and unforgettable characters sets her apart in the mystery genre.
Inspired by a disturbing critique session during her MA, where a classmate’s work condoned violence against women, Wilding channeled her fury into Speak of the Devil. This righteous anger infuses her stories, making them both thrilling and thought-provoking. Her love for feminist sci-fi, like Micaiah Johnson’s The Space Between Worlds, also shapes her bold narrative choices.
Why Rose Wilding Matters
Rose Wilding’s impact lies in her fearless exploration of women’s rage and resilience. By giving voice to those silenced by toxic systems, she’s carving a space for queer, working-class perspectives in crime fiction. Her debut has been hailed as a feminist triumph, resonating with readers who see their own struggles in her characters. Wilding’s Newcastle roots ground her stories in a vivid sense of place, making her a fresh, authentic voice in British literature.
As a rising star, she’s already inspiring new writers, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds, to tell their stories unapologetically. With her next novel on the horizon, Wilding is poised to redefine the mystery genre with her blend of suspense and social commentary.
- Key Work: Speak of the Devil (2023)
- Education: MA in Creative Writing, University of Manchester
- Hobbies: Drinking coffee, reading feminist sci-fi, and sharing chihuahua pics on Instagram
Snag Speak of the Devil and dive into Rose Wilding’s thrilling world of mystery and empowerment!