Why writing?

I’ve always loved stories. From reading books to creating plots and characters, and breathing life into the crazy little worlds living in my head. I can’t imagine a world without reading or writing.

When did you first realise you wanted to be a writer?

From a very young age, though I confess I didn’t believe it was a possible career choice until I was in my twenties. Even when I was at primary school, creative writing was my favourite thing. I used to fill notebooks up with stories and I always wanted to write the script if we had an assembly performance. At first I thought of it as no more than a hobby, then in my teens I (unsuccessfully) tried to get a few short stories published in magazines. It was after reading Misery by Stephen King, while on holiday, that I decided I wanted to try writing a book.

Who inspires you?

The US author, Nora Roberts, is a huge influence. I enjoy her standalone thrillers, but I also admire her work ethic. She is an absolute power horse, who has written about 300 books, and she has a very straightforward attitude about the discipline that is required. I always remember her saying that when you have bills to pay, you get your bum in your chair and write, or words to that effect, and I focus on that whenever I am struggling. Something else she taught me is that characters are key. Write them well and with purpose and your story will wrap around them.

What was you most recent published novel?

I am between publication dates at the moment. My last thriller, The Cottage by the Sea, was released in November, and revolves around Harper Reed, a widow, who dips into the world of Internet dating, learning it has a dark side. My next release, The House Sitter, is on presale now. It is my nod to Hitchcock’s Rear Window and comes out 22^nd May.

What are you working on at the moment?

I am currently writing a wintery thriller set in the days before Christmas. My protagonist, Lola, is searching for her birth family and finds out she has a brother. After persuading him to meet with her, she goes to his secluded house in Norfolk, where she gets the sense that her brother and his wife have secrets. A blizzard hits before she can leave and she ends up trapped in the house with them overnight.

How long does it take you to write a book? Do you have a word count target per day/week?

I wish I could say yes, I am that organised. In an ideal world I would like to write about six to eight thousand words a week, but in truth, sometimes it’s only a couple of thousand. I seem to write best when I am under pressure and with every book I have written I end up with deadlines looming, wondering how I am going to meet them. So far – and I say this with my fingers crossed – the story comes pouring out towards the end. With The House Sitter I wrote thirty thousand words in the week leading up to my deadline.

What does your writing day look like?

It tends to start and end late. I spent so many years with a fulltime office job and having to squeeze writing into my evenings, and try as I might, it’s a habit I can’t seem to break. I am envious when I read about authors who get up early and write a couple of thousand words as the sun rises. I have tried to do that, but the words that come out usually aren’t very good ones. Now I have given into my process. I spend my mornings taking care of meowing hungry mouths and doing household chores, then sit down around lunchtime. The words come easier in the afternoon, then later, after dinner, they practically flow.

Do your books have a message/common theme?

I laugh with readers and say there are certain staples you get with my books. I always have a female protagonist, there is generally a touch of romance running alongside the thriller story, and most of my books feature dogs or cats, who usually play a prominent role. I try to write strong female characters, often those who start the story with baggage, but then grow throughout the book. And there are always red herrings and twists, with my stories often veering off in a completely direction to what the reader is expecting. I never add twists gratuitously. Each one is carefully thought through, with hidden clues sprinkled throughout the story, so when the book is finished, readers can look back and have that, ‘Ah, I should have seen that’ moment.

Do your books cover any mental health issues?

A few of my protagonists are battling mental health issues. From Nell in Deep Dark Secrets, who suffers with debilitating panic attacks to Callie in Nowhere To Hide, a domestic violence survivor, who is dealing with everyday trauma, as she attempts to rebuild her life and learn to trust again. Olivia, in Trust No One, was tormented by high school bullies and bears scars years later, both mental and physical. And Harper, in The Cottage by the Sea, is trying to combat agoraphobia when we first meet her. I write from the heart and all of these subjects have all touched my life in some way. It’s been cathartic.

Have you ever done a research trip for your writing?

Nearly all of my books are set in my home county of Norfolk, so I am very familiar with the areas I write about. I often do recce trips to get photos for the marketing team, and my travels have taken me all over the county, from the beautiful coastal town of Wells-next-the-Sea to my local woods, scouting out locations to hide a body.

What’s the most interesting thing you have discovered when researching a book?

With fourteen published books under my belt, the main thing writing has taught me is the rule book is a myth. I used to believe that there was a set pattern you should follow when writing a story, but it’s not true. Every author has their own style and way of doing things, and they should never apologise for that.

What are you currently reading?

My current read is The Guests by Charlotte Stevenson. I’m only a couple of chapters in, but it’s already gripping me.

Author Biography

Keri Beevis is the bestselling author of Dying To Tell, Deep Dark Secrets, The Sleepover and The Summer House. Her other titles include Trust No One, Every Little Breath, The People Next Door, The House in the Woods (previously published as The Boat House), Nowhere To Hide and The Cottage by the Sea.

She lives in Norfolk, England, with her three naughty kitties, Ellie, Poppy and Finn, and a plentiful supply of red wine (her writing fuel).

In 2022, Keri signed with Boldwood Books. Her first release with them, The Sleepover, was a top 10 bestseller in the UK, while The Summer House was a global smash hit.

Keri’s brand new psychological thriller, The House Sitter, is out 22nd May 2025.

Find out more about Keri and her books on her website or by following her on social media.

WEBSITE  https://keribeevis.com/

FACEBOOK PAGE www.facebook.com/allaboutbeev

THE KERI BEEVIS OFFICIAL READER GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/828561545298318

INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/keri.beevis