Picture a British storyteller who swapped the hustle of London’s TV studios for the misty peaks of North Wales, spinning chilling crime thrillers that keep readers up all night—meet Simon McCleave! Best known for his DI Ruth Hunter series, McCleave crafts gripping mysteries steeped in Welsh folklore, with twists that hit like a stormy Welsh gale.
From his debut novel, The Snowdonia Killings, to his latest page-turners, McCleave has sold over two million books, blending his knack for screenwriting with a love for North Wales’ haunting landscapes. His stories don’t just solve crimes—they pull you into a world of complex characters and pulse-pounding suspense.
The Making of Simon McCleave
Born in South London, Simon McCleave didn’t start as a novelist. After studying at university, he dove into the fast-paced world of television, working as a script editor for the BBC and a producer at Channel 4. His credits include gritty dramas like Silent Witness and The Bill, and his Channel 4 film Out of the Game earned praise for its raw portrayal of male friendship. A stint as a story analyst in Los Angeles sharpened his storytelling instincts, but it was moving to North Wales with his wife and two children that sparked his shift to novels.
Settling in Worthenbury near Wrexham, McCleave initially taught English and Media, scribbling story ideas during lunch breaks. His deep connection to North Wales’ rugged beauty and rich history inspired him to trade scripts for books, launching a career that would captivate crime fiction fans worldwide.
Simon McCleave’s Unforgettable Stories
McCleave’s DI Ruth Hunter series, starting with The Snowdonia Killings (2020), follows a seasoned detective who leaves London’s chaos for North Wales, only to face brutal murders laced with cryptic symbols. The novel soared to No. 1 on the Amazon UK Chart, selling over 400,000 copies, and set the tone for a series now spanning 20 books. Its vivid Snowdonia setting and layered characters—like the alcoholic deputy Nick Evans—make every case feel personal.
Sequels like The Harlech Beach Killings and The Chester Killings deepen Ruth’s story, weaving psychological twists with Welsh myths. McCleave’s Anglesey series, beginning with The Dark Tide (Harper Collins), introduces hostage negotiator Laura Hart and became Waterstones’ best-selling Welsh Book of the Month. His standalone thriller, Last Night at Villa Lucia, earned praise from The Times for its empathetic take on coercion and abuse. McCleave’s style—dark, character-driven, and packed with shocks—appeals to fans of LJ Ross and JD Kirk.
His television background shines through in taut pacing and cinematic scenes, while his love for Wales adds authenticity, from icy Snowdonia trails to Anglesey’s windswept shores. Whether it’s a serial killer or a drug lord, McCleave keeps you guessing until the final page.
Why Simon McCleave Matters
Simon McCleave has redefined Welsh crime fiction, putting North Wales on the map as a backdrop for modern thrillers. His DI Ruth Hunter series, now in development as a TV series set to film in Snowdonia in 2025, brings Welsh culture and landscapes to a global audience. With over two million books sold, McCleave’s independent publishing success—later amplified by Harper Collins—shows how self-starters can shake up the literary world.
His stories resonate because they’re more than whodunits. They explore real issues—addiction, loss, identity—through flawed, relatable characters. For readers, McCleave offers an escape into a world where justice prevails, wrapped in the magic of Wales’ myths and mountains.
- Born: South London, UK
- Key Works: The Snowdonia Killings, The Harlech Beach Killings, The Dark Tide, Last Night at Villa Lucia
- Notable: Over two million books sold; DI Ruth Hunter series in TV development
Snag The Snowdonia Killings and dive into Simon McCleave’s thrilling world of Welsh crime fiction—you won’t put it down!