The Snowdonia Killings: A Snowdonia Murder Mystery Book 1 (A DI Ruth Hunter Crime Thriller)

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All were independently published by Simon, 53, a former Hollywood scriptwriter who has worked on TV shows such as Silent Witness, Midsomer Murders, EastEnders and The Bill. After moving to Worthenbury, near Wrexham, he worked as a teacher before writing his debut novel, The Snowdonia Killings. I was flattered when Harper Collins called my agent. It turned my head! There’s a lot of snobbery in the publishing world – the big book festivals won’t have independents. I’m now getting plenty of bookings, which is very welcome.”

With film projects, everything always remains in development until the last minute," he said. "When it comes together, things suddenly go a bit crazy." Anglesey suited his plots but the island also had a personal lure. “I’ve spent many weekends on Anglesey, for trips and research visits, and as a family we always holiday there,” said Simon. “For the past 10 years, it’s been our go-to place.” It’s remarkable how many plot twists and new directions crop up in this novel. The police procedural aspect is strong, but using a huge variety of characters the author manages to drive the story in various directions. It’s complex but very believable. There are secrets galore, and often the characters have attitudes and issues that complicate matters for Ruth. As well as hate crimes, mental health problems, suicide and autism play a role – affecting the characters, the investigation and how it’s handled. Like Hidden, the macabre TV drama serial centred on the rugged hills of North Wales, Simon McCleave’s novels have brought gruesome crime to the last place you’d expect it. His Killings series, featuring DI Ruth Hunter, has sold over a million copies, and a major new TV show based on the books is due to begin shooting in Snowdonia in late 2023.Teaming up with an obstinate deputy, Ruth struggles to eliminate suspects from a long line of . But she’s forced to tear up her shortlist when they discover another slain victim with the same cryptic markings… Happy for your part of the world to be associated with violent fictional crime? Have your say in the comments below?

Now the body count is set to soar still further in one corner of our region - but fortunately it is all in the name of fiction as a master storyteller releases his latest crime book. Murder is afoot on Anglesey and this time MI5 and the Real IRA are involved. Not long afterwards, another teacher is killed and the victim also has a spiral carved on their hand.

Having spent time on Anglesey, it seems to have a different atmosphere than the rest of Wales,” said Simon, married with two children. “The people there have an island mentality and the two bridges that connect to the mainland gives a sense of place that can be closed off.”