In My Good Books

When Zoe Rankin first joined the podcast, The Vanishing Place hadn't even been published. Fast forward a year and her haunting New Zealand thriller has been shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize and longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize, an incredible achievement for a first novel. 
In this special Bloody Scotland 2026 episode, we chat about everything that's happened since publication, from seeing her novel on bookshop shelves to meeting readers, navigating imposter syndrome, and why receiving congratulations from Ian Rankin felt completely surreal.
We also dive back into The Vanishing Place, discussing its unforgettable setting in the remote New Zealand bush, why Zoe describes her books as "nature-centric thrillers", and how the landscape became as important as any of the characters. She shares the inspiration behind the novel, the challenges of writing it, and why Jane Harper's The Dry changed her life forever. 
There's plenty of Bloody Scotland chat too, including Zoe's excitement about making the journey from New Zealand, the panels she's appearing on, and the events she's most looking forward to attending.
Debut Prize Panel
Friday 18 September • 3:00pm
Murder at the End of the World
Saturday 19 September • 9:45pm
Femmes Fatales featuring Liz Nugent, Harriet Tyce and Andrea Mara
Jane Harper & Jane Casey
Denise Mina in conversation with Lucy Foley

If you're heading to Bloody Scotland, don't miss the chance to hear Zoe speak!

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Eleanor Drage, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge, AI ethicist, broadcaster and co-host of The Good Robot podcast, to discuss her new book What If We Got AI Right?
We explore why conversations about AI need to move beyond hype and fear, how power, politics and inequality are embedded in technology, and why regulation, education and public participation will all be essential in shaping the future of AI.
Eleanor also recommends a brilliant selection of books that explore technology, disability, labour, philosophy and the future of society.
Joshua Schuster & Derek Woods – Calamity Theory
Tim Ingold – Lines
Karen Levy – Data Driven
Jane Bennett – Vibrant Matter
Cassandra Hartblay – Access Vernaculars
Ned Beauman – Venomous Lumpsucker
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with anyone interested in AI, politics, technology or the future of society.

Join me behind the Scenes at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2026!
This week's episode is something a little different as I take you behind the scenes at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, Europe's largest celebration of crime fiction.
Over one packed weekend I caught up with eight fantastic authors to chat about their latest books, writing life, festival highlights and what readers can expect next. From bestselling thriller writers to exciting debut novelists, this episode gives you a flavour of one of the friendliest and most exciting weekends in the publishing calendar.
📚 John Marrs – Dead In The Water
📚 Gillian McAllister – Caller Unknown
📚 Dorothy Koomson – The Quiet Girls
📚 Holly Stars – Murder in the Dressing Room
📚 Arvind Ethan David – The Great Game
📚 Adele Parks – Eyes on You
📚 Mark Edwards – One of the Family
📚 Anna Mazzola – Anna Sharpe: Lie for Your Life (coming January 2027)

📝 Enter the Sarita Domingo Prize
📬 Arvind Ethan David's Substack: The Dread and the Envy 
🎙️ Dorothy Koomson's podcast: The Dorothy Edit 
If you enjoy In My Good Books, I'd really appreciate it if you could follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share the episode with a fellow book lover.
You can also find me on Instagram:
@inmygoodbookspod

Steve Cavanagh joins me to discuss his latest legal thriller, One of Us is Guilty, the tenth novel in his bestselling Eddie Flynn series.
In this episode, Steve introduces Eddie Flynn for anyone who is new to the series and explains why every book is written to work equally well for first-time readers and long-standing fans.
We talk about why the tenth Eddie Flynn novel felt significant, the characters Steve wanted to revisit, and his decision to spend more time in Eddie’s head. Steve also discusses the structure of One of Us is Guilty, including the challenge of showing the same scene from two different perspectives and allowing the reader to see what each character is thinking and hiding.
Buy One Of Us Is Guilty
Find Steve on Instagram
The Steve Cavanagh Readers Club
Books recommended:
The Devils by Joe Abercrombie
The Firm by John Grisham

In this episode I'm joined by award-winning Scottish author Sara Sheridan to discuss her captivating new historical novel, The Jewel Keepers.
Known for bringing overlooked stories from Scotland's past to life, Sara takes readers on a thrilling treasure hunt through 1837 Edinburgh, following Araminta Mackenzie Moore as she uncovers family secrets, hidden histories and a mysterious lost Scottish crown.
Sara's website
Buy The Jewel Keepers
Sara also shares three brilliant book recommendations:
Water Music by T. C. Boyle
Doorways in Drumorty by Lorna Moon
The Pretender by Jo Harkin