Picture a British-born Canadian storyteller who weaves ordinary lives into extraordinary suspense—meet Roz Nay! With her knack for crafting psychological thrillers that keep you up past midnight, Nay has carved a niche in the world of suspense fiction. Her debut, Our Little Secret, hooked readers globally, blending love, betrayal, and dark twists into a page-turner that’s anything but ordinary.
From her eclectic past as a teacher, social worker, and global adventurer, Nay draws inspiration that fuels her gripping narratives. Let’s dive into the life and stories of this rising star whose thrillers are as captivating as her journey.
The Making of Roz Nay
Born in Eastbourne, United Kingdom, Roz Nay studied at Oxford University before embarking on a life of adventure. Her 20s were a whirlwind of travel—working as an underwater fish counter in Africa and a snowboard videographer in Vermont—before settling in Nelson, British Columbia, with her husband and two children. A former high school teacher in the UK and Australia, Nay later worked in child protection for British Columbia’s Ministry of Families, experiences that deeply inform her writing.
Her writing career sparked unexpectedly in 2012 when her husband enrolled her in a creative writing course at Selkirk College as a hobby. A 1,000-word short story about a lonely Vermont high schooler named Angela became the seed for her debut novel. Nay’s leap from casual writer to bestselling author is a testament to her storytelling passion and raw talent.
Roz Nay’s Unforgettable Stories
Roz Nay’s novels are masterclasses in psychological suspense, placing everyday characters in chilling, relatable predicaments. Her debut, Our Little Secret (2017), follows Angela Petitjean, interrogated about a missing woman tied to her high school sweetheart. This slow-burn thriller, lauded for its subtle psychological depth, won the Douglas Kennedy Prize for Best Foreign Thriller and earned nominations for the Arthur Ellis and Kobo Emerging Writer Awards.
Hurry Home (2020) explores sisterhood and buried secrets as social worker Alexandra Van Ness faces her estranged sister Ruth’s return. Inspired by Nay’s child protection work, this twisty tale was shortlisted for the Crime Writers of Canada Best Thriller Award. The Hunted (2021) transports readers to a Tanzanian island, where backpacker Stevie faces obsession and danger. Drawing from Nay’s African travels, it was nominated for Best Crime Novel in 2022. Her latest, The Offing (2024), set in Australia, cements her knack for vivid settings and shocking conclusions.
Nay’s style is seductive yet incisive, blending lyrical prose with diabolical twists. She loves crafting flawed, secretive characters—especially sociopathic villains—who behave unpredictably, reflecting her belief that everyone hides something. Her stories, often compared to Ruth Ware and Sophie Hannah, thrive on realistic stakes and emotional depth, making each novel a heart-pounding escape.
Why Roz Nay Matters
Roz Nay’s impact lies in her ability to humanize the thriller genre. By rooting her stories in real-world experiences—like teaching teens or protecting vulnerable children—she crafts narratives that resonate deeply. Her focus on ordinary people in extreme situations invites readers to question their own secrets and choices, making her work both thrilling and thought-provoking.
As a Canadian author, Nay enriches the literary landscape with diverse settings, from British Columbia’s mountains to African islands. Her critical acclaim and growing readership signal a bright future, proving that even a late-starting writer can redefine a genre with authenticity and grit.
- Born: Eastbourne, United Kingdom
- Key Works: Our Little Secret, Hurry Home, The Hunted, The Offing
- Awards: Douglas Kennedy Prize (2017), Crime Writers of Canada Best Thriller Shortlist (2020), Best Crime Novel Nomination (2022)
Snag Our Little Secret and dive into Roz Nay’s world of twisted suspense—you won’t look at ‘ordinary’ the same way again!