John Dean – Crime Writer

Two crime writers from Dumfries and Galloway, in South West Scotland, have signed deals for their latest novels with leading independent publisher Joffe Books.

Ian Robinson, who lives in the region, has signed a contract for the first four books in a new series set in Dumfries and Galloway, which will take the total number of his novels published by Joffe to eight.

His new series brings DI Sharpe and DS Sinclair together in a series of character-led mysteries focused on a murder team based in St John’s Town of Dalry in New Galloway. 

John Dean, pictured at the top of this article, who lives near Kirkcudbright, has signed a two-book deal, one each in his long-running DCI John Blizzard and DCI Jack Harris series, which will take him to 28 novels published by Joffe Books.

The latest in the Blizzard series, which are set in the fictional northern city of Hafton, is due out in early September with the Jack Harris one, set as usual in the North Pennines, due out three months later, in early November.

Ian, pictured below, said: “I’m thrilled to be continuing my journey with such an amazing publisher and for John, too.

“To get an opportunity like this is a dream come true, and I can’t wait to bring my new series to the world. I’m looking forward to highlighting the outstanding beauty of the region through fiction.”

John said:  “Working with Joffe Books is really satisfying as they continually introduce my characters to new readers.

“I am delighted to have signed this contract and for Ian to have done it at the same time is excellent. Dumfries and Galloway is a real hotbed of crime writing with a number of brilliant authors living in the area, and several others using it as a setting for their stories, and to be part of the buzz that this is creating is very exciting.”

The books were originally published by The Book Folks, which was taken over by Joffe Books, and Marie-Louise Haig, Head of The Book Folks at Joffe Books, which was recently named Trade Publisher of the Year in the IPA Awards, said: “Scotland continues to produce some of Britain’s finest crime writers, and we’re delighted to be strengthening our relationship with two outstanding authors from Dumfries and Galloway. Ian Robinson and John Dean both create compelling, character-led mysteries that have found loyal readers around the world. Whether it’s Ian’s atmospheric new series set in Dumfries and Galloway or John’s best-selling detective novels, both authors exemplify the quality and storytelling that crime readers are looking for.”