Murder Squad

Murder Squad is a virtual collective of six crime writers from the North of England, comprising, from left to right: Stuart Pawson, Martin Edwards, Margaret Murphy, Chaz Brenchley, Cath Staincliffe and Ann Cleeves. John Baker, furthest right, was the seventh founder member but his writing has taken him away from crime and he has, amicably, left the Squad.

They are keen to gain a wider audience for their work, which has been highly praised by both readers and reviewers, and has gained them many prizes. They appear collectively and individually across the country: for details of their joint activities see the links on the left. More information about each of the writers, and their latest books, can be found by following the links on the right.

You’ll see from our list of events that we continue to work with libraries around the country as well as developing links with independent bookshops, visiting readers’ and writers’ groups and contributing to literature festivals. Further afield several of us have new foreign publishers.

As well as promoting our own work we are also variously involved in helping to promote new writers and the genre of crime fiction in general: Martin and Cath review for Tangled Web and Deadly Pleasures, and Martin's blog Do You Write Under Your Own Name? is a must-read. Margaret, having cut her teeth discovering new talent via the CWA Debut Dagger, now chairs the CWA, and Chaz and Ann are both acted as judges for the Newcastle Lit & Phil's 'Criminal Shorts' short story competition.