Fiona Erskine

Engineer. Writer. Swimmer.

News & events

Terry Deary

Posted on May 18, 2025

I’m so excited to have been invited to interview Terry Deary (of Horrible Histories fame) when he visits Back of Beyond Books. If you’ll be anywhere near Sedgefield on 24th …

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Phosphate Rocks – do engineers read fiction?

Posted on May 1, 2025

May 2025 sees the start of a 52-part serialisation of my 3rd novel – Phosphate Rocks: A Death in Ten Objects. The Chemical Engineer, (TCE), the monthly magazine of the …

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Audiobook Loosing Control

Posted on May 1, 2025

I’ve been listening to the audiobook of Losing Controlย 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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Phosphate Rocks to be serialised

Posted on March 24, 2025

Exciting news. The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) have acquired the rights to serialise my novel about a fertiliser factoryย in their member magazine (TCE) and website. Phosphate Rocks: A Death …

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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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Toe tag podcast featuring the book cover of The Chemical Detective

Authors on Location and Mysteries to Die For

Posted on February 6, 2025

This week, The Book Trail – now celebrating ten years of mapping the locations in works of fiction, a sort of literary travel agency – ran a #Authors on Location …

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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. Iย  seem to bump into Andy Wormald at every crime festivalย  – Capital …

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Author Interview – Fiona Erskine talks to Gina Holt from Partners in Crime

Posted on January 21, 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2ZEF3oH5f4

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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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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 ยฃ0.99 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 spaceโ€ฆ

Novelist Carolyn Kirby discusses the apparently radical shift in menโ€™s fashions during the late 18th century and the invention of the โ€˜masculineโ€™ 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

So pleased with this great spread in December's @WritingMagazine ๐Ÿ˜ #histfic

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