Fiona Erskine

Engineer. Writer. Swimmer.

Losing Control

It’s easy to point out what’s wrong – it takes ingenuity to fix it

Posted on June 3, 2025

I was interviewed by Hannah Dolman at the University of Cambridge for the Alumni Magazine of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. You can read the full text (with …

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Audiobook Loosing Control

Posted on May 1, 2025

I’ve been listening to the audiobook of Losing Control and I’m absolutely delighted with what voice actors Melanie Crawley and Mike Hayley have done with the story – they bring it …

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Visiting Cambridge University 6&7 May 2025

Posted on April 23, 2025

I’m delighted to be visiting my old university to give a couple of talks in early May, always a lovely time to be in Cambridge The first talk is as …

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Review of Losing Control

Posted on April 3, 2025

The Chemical Engineer (TCE) published a glowing review of Losing Control in the April 2025 issue, pairing the book review with recent TV shows (Toxic Town, Last Breath) and a …

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Losing Control Audiobook

Posted on March 28, 2025

I’m delighted to share the news that WF Howes have acquired the UK and Commonwealth audio rights to Losing Control through my wonderful agent Juliet Mushens. Voiced by the fabulous …

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TV Interview – Is it Safe?

Posted on March 18, 2025

I was interviewed as part of a DW News report about the incineration of toxic waste from the former Union carbide factory in Bhopal. Macleod is my maiden and professional …

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Reviews that made me cheer then weep

Posted on January 30, 2025

I had two reviews appear on social media this week that provoked strong reactions Let me explain. I  seem to bump into Andy Wormald at every crime festival  – Capital …

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Author Chat with Caroline Maston – UK Crime Book Club

Posted on January 15, 2025

On Friday 10th January I had a one hour chat with Caroline Maston from the UK Crime Book Club. You can see and listen to the recording here Among many …

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Crime Writer’s Association Magazine – Red Herrings – Losing Control

Posted on January 6, 2025

A Toxic Legacy I wrote an article about my visit to the former Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, India for the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) magazine – RED HERRINGS – …

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Photo of narrator Paul Burke

New podcasts to tickle your ears

Posted on January 4, 2025

Podcast 1: Process Safety Meets Nancy Drew, James Bond and MacGyver Listen here In this episode of Process Safety with Trish and Traci we interview Fiona Erskine, an engineer and …

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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


What makes the perfect handbag and how much is it worth?

https://fionaerskine.substack.com/p/the-perfect-handbag


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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

Excellent post - thank you @GalleyBeggars @GonzaloCGarcia

Ongoing serialisation of
#PhosphateRocks continues as the mystery deepens
Chapter 27: Broken Sunglasses - Features - The Chemical Engineer - https://goo.gl/alerts/EVCA3x #GoogleAlerts @IChemE

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