The Crime Writer

THE CRIME WRITER represents an astonishing act of literary ventriloquism, easily on a par with THE MASTER, Colm Toibin’s fine novel about Henry James. - Mail on Sunday

Ventriloquy is Dawson’s forte … this fascinating, skilfully constructed novel builds a convincing picture of Patricia Highsmith - Spectator

You do not need to be a passionate Highsmith fan to admire this beautifully written and elegant novel, but I think it will particularly appeal to those who have read her books and know something about her life; they should recognise many of the allusions and ideas - Literary Review

An ingenious concept … Dawson can be applauded for her passionate immersion in her subject, and for creating a novel as dark and odd as the subject herself. - Guardian

A beautifully crafted and utterly riveting blend of fact and fiction about a fascinating 20th-century figure. - Daily Mail

A dark tale of madness and murder, of obsession and delusion, that’s worthy of Highsmith herself - Red magazine

[An] impeccable portrait … a hugely compelling read, jam-packed full of tensions and psychological insight, all beautifully observed. - Sunday Express

An assured and visceral page-turner, as convincing as it is bold - Lady

Jill Dawson is the author of Trick of the Light, Magpie, Fred and Edie, which was shortlisted for the Whitbread Novel Award and the Orange Prize, Wild Boy, Watch Me Disappear, which was longlisted for the Orange Prize, The Great Lover, a Richard and Judy Summer Read in 2009, Lucky Bunny and The Tell-Tale Heart. In addition she has edited six anthologies of short stories and poetry.

Born in Durham, Jill Dawson grew up in Yorkshire. She has held many Fellowships, including the Creative Writing Fellowship at the University of East Anglia, where she taught on the MA in Creative Writing course. In 2006 she received an honorary doctorate in recognition of her work. She lives in the Fens with her husband, two sons and foster daughter.