John Kennedy
Sub-genre: Crime Thriller, Northern Crime, Police procedural
John Kennedy is a writer of edgy, immersive crime novels with a northern feel. He’s also not afraid to tackle some difficult themes.
John’s DI Will Ashcroft and DC Samira Byrne series focuses on two marginalized characters, forced to the edges by intolerance, coming together to solve difficult and disturbing crimes in a time and place where apathy rules. The first in the series (The Trauma Pool) was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger in 2016, and is published by Sharpe Books (2020).
John has a Masters in Creative Writing and lectures English in Northern England. As well as working on the second in the Ashcroft and Byrne series, he is currently developing a podcast entitled This Writing Thing.
Other Awards
Shortlisted for AM Heath’s Criminal Lines 2014
Shortlisted for CWA Debut Dagger 2016
Shortlisted for The Exeter Prize 2017
Longlisted for The Bath Novel Prize 2019