Picture a Scottish storyteller who weaves chilling tales that keep you up all night—meet Susi Holliday! Known for her gripping psychological thrillers, Holliday blends scientific precision with dark secrets, crafting stories that linger like a fog over the Highlands. From her bestselling The Deaths of December to the treacherous trails of The Hike, she’s a master of suspense who turns idyllic settings into stages for moral dilemmas and shocking twists.
Born near Edinburgh, Holliday’s journey from statistician to thriller author is as twisty as her plots. Her unique blend of crime, horror, and speculative fiction has earned her a devoted following and praise from peers like Ian Rankin. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the life and legacy of this captivating writer.
The Making of Susi Holliday
Susi Holliday grew up in a small Scottish town, working in her family’s newsagent and pub before studying microbiology and statistics. For over two decades, she crunched numbers in the pharmaceutical industry, but a six-month round-the-world trip with her husband in 2006 reignited her passion for writing. Inspired by her travels and love for 80s music and horror movies, she began crafting short stories, earning a shortlist spot for the 2014 CWA Margery Allingham Prize. This marked the start of her transformation into a full-fledged author.
Holliday’s scientific background informs her meticulous plotting, while her knack for observing human behavior fuels her complex characters. Her early forays into flash fiction honed her ability to pack a punch in few words, a skill that shines in her novels’ taut narratives.
Susi Holliday’s Unforgettable Stories
Holliday’s novels are a rollercoaster of suspense, often set in deceptively serene locales that hide dark secrets. Her Banktoun trilogy—Black Wood (2015), Willow Walk (2016), and The Damselfly (2017)—introduces the fictional Scottish town of Banktoun, where small-town gossip and buried truths unravel with devastating consequences. Black Wood, a noir-tinged mystery, follows a woman haunted by childhood trauma, setting the tone for Holliday’s knack for psychological depth.
The Deaths of December (2017) is a festive yet chilling standalone, where a serial killer taunts police with an advent calendar revealing crime scenes. Violet (2019), set on the Trans-Siberian Express, channels Highsmith-esque noir as two strangers form a deadly bond. The Hike (2022) takes readers to the Swiss Alps, where a sisterly getaway turns treacherous, earning praise for its relentless twists. Holliday’s style blends crime, horror, and speculative elements, exploring themes of betrayal, guilt, and the fragility of relationships.
Her recent works, like The Street (2023) and The Party Season (2023), delve into Scottish roots and revenge, showcasing her evolution toward high-concept thrillers with a sci-fi edge. Critics laud her ability to craft “creepy, compelling, original” stories that keep readers guessing.
Why Susi Holliday Matters
Susi Holliday has carved a niche in contemporary crime fiction by blending psychological insight with atmospheric settings. Her novels resonate with readers who crave suspense that’s both emotionally raw and intellectually engaging. Longlisted for the Guardian’s Not the Booker Prize for The Lingering (2018), she’s earned accolades from authors like Steve Cavanagh, who calls her “one of the most gifted psychological thriller writers.” Her work in anthologies, like the Crime Writers’ Association’s global mystery collection, highlights her versatility.
Beyond her books, Holliday inspires aspiring writers through workshops and mentoring, sharing her journey from statistician to storyteller. Her ability to juggle a day job while producing bestselling novels makes her a relatable figure for those chasing creative dreams. As her novel Violet heads to the big screen, Holliday’s influence continues to grow.
- Birthplace: Near Edinburgh, Scotland
- Key Works: Banktoun trilogy, The Deaths of December, Violet, The Hike
- Notable Recognition: Shortlisted for CWA Margery Allingham Prize (2014), longlisted for Not the Booker Prize (2018)
Snag The Hike or Violet and dive into Susi Holliday’s thrilling world of secrets and suspense!