Fiona Erskine

Engineer. Writer. Swimmer.

Book cover with female engineer holding Geiger Counter

She blows things up to keep people safe

The Chemical Detective

Jaq Silver spicy engineering thriller Book #1

Dr Jaq Silver. Skier, scientist, international jet-setter, explosives expert. She blows things up to keep people safe. 

Working on avalanche control in Slovenia, Jaq stumbles across a problem with a consignment of explosives. After raising a complaint with the supplier, a multinational chemical company, her evidence disappears and she is framed for murder. Jaq must find the key to the mystery.

But can she uncover the truth before her time runs out?

Book cover with female engineer holding Geiger Counter

Series: Jaq Silver Thrillers

Formats available: Hardback, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

First published: 04/04/19

Reviews for The Chemical Detective

‘Fiona Erskine is an engineer, and in Jaq Silver, who shares her profession, she has created a wonderful antidote to all the resentful, floppy victims of much domestic noir… Her adventures are eye-popping and exciting.’

Literary Review

An audacious, female-led thriller which took the disposable women of the James Bond franchise and flipped the concept entirely on its head

Chemistry World Book Club

‘Action, intrigue and a stonkingly modern heroine. It’s a blast.’

Sunday Times Crime Club

‘Just the right blend of suspense and tension… I recommend this original and compelling debut novel for fans of mysteries and thrillers, as well as for those looking for a credible female protagonist in a genre dominated by male superheroes. Already, I am looking forward to reading the next instalment in this series.’

Forbes

‘Imagine the love child of Jack Reacher and Nancy Drew…a delicious cocktail of dating and detonations. Call it Mills and Boom.’

London Evening Standard



Other Editions

The Chemical Detective - North America e-book

The Chemical Detective - North America Hardback



Sunny southern sojourn with friends and family and a stonkingly good book. London looking stunning!


In Houston for the day job, I went back to visit my old house and primary school from when my dad had a sabbatical at Rice University. Fleming park is much smaller than I remember but the fire ants are still there! Highlight was a full Tex-Mex with Theresa and Bhopal expert Kenneth Bloch - plans afoot for a new book.


I swam 24km in 5 days. Hard work?

Try tuna canning, salt drying or sulphur mining...

https://fionaerskine.substack.com/p/sulphur-and-salt


Goodbye #egadiislands and thank you @swimtrek for an amazing week - 24 kilometres with wonderful guides, fellow swimmers and multicoloured fishes!


This week #PhosphateRocks e-book is only £0.99 in UK

Who doesn't love a story about a demolition gone wrong? @raine_clouds_writes @lesleykellyauthor 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Phosphate-Rocks-Death-Ten-Objects-ebook/dp/B0CTRRXKNY

PS: The audio book narrated by @rain.goblin is pretty special too


A quarter of my sales this month were overseas for the very first time!

Massive thanks to all those fine Canadians for topping the list. Say Hi if you see this.

https://fionaerskine.com/


On my way to Harrogate today

https://open.substack.com/pub/fionaerskine/p/harrogate

Say hello if you'll be there


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The Salt Oracle by Lorraine Wilson
⁦@raine_clouds⁩ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8128830782

We're looking forward to being part of Carolyn's tour for 'Ravenglass'! Carolyn will be with us @hull_libraries (Central and online), 11th February 📚

Fantastic to hear @Ofmooseandmen features on @BBCBooks - such a great publisher and @RonanHession1 is one of my favourite authors and a great interviewee. (Ghost Mountain fell in the bath - sorry!)

Saturday 10 January 2026. ⁦@TonyKent_Writes⁩ will be in ⁦@wstonesdurham⁩ FREE event. See you there! #RevengeOfOdessa

I have news!
Stellar thanks to @SFcrowsnest for a stirring introduction - to #TheLye and to #agentjarrold for his immense courage. Watch this space…

Novelist Carolyn Kirby discusses the apparently radical shift in men’s fashions during the late 18th century and the invention of the ‘masculine’ style that still dominates menswear. https://historiamag.com/invent-masculine-fashion/ via @HistoriaHWA

I have news. Exciting news...
https://fionaerskine.com/news-item/exciting-news/

Have you had a look at the brilliant Ravenglass by Carolyn Kirby yet?

Following a gender fluid character making their way in 1700s Whitehaven, this emotional and beautifully written globe trotting adventure is available with 25% off this Christmas!
https://share.google/AvrhJUHaVtFa9TVnK

Happiness is a train journey with a seat and a good book #lner #thesaltoracle

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