Martine Bailey Writer
@martinebailey.bsky.social
Author of psychological crime novels SHARP SCRATCH and ISOLATION WARD. Historical mysteries AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS, THE PENNY HEART, and THE ALMANACK.
"Intelligent and engrossing" The Sunday Times
Rep'd by @charlotteseymour.bsky.social
"Intelligent and engrossing" The Sunday Times
Rep'd by @charlotteseymour.bsky.social
Reposted by Martine Bailey Writer
THE Chester Winter Watch parade takes to the city centre streets on Thursday, December 4, at 7pm.
www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/2565821...
www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/2565821...
November 29, 2025 at 10:01 AM
THE Chester Winter Watch parade takes to the city centre streets on Thursday, December 4, at 7pm.
www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/2565821...
www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/2565821...
For anyone with links to Cheshire, note the Cheshire Prize for Literature 2026 is now open for entries until 31 January
Cheshire Prize | University of Chester share.google/TFHKhwXtTF5c...
Cheshire Prize | University of Chester share.google/TFHKhwXtTF5c...
November 30, 2025 at 8:26 AM
For anyone with links to Cheshire, note the Cheshire Prize for Literature 2026 is now open for entries until 31 January
Cheshire Prize | University of Chester share.google/TFHKhwXtTF5c...
Cheshire Prize | University of Chester share.google/TFHKhwXtTF5c...
Tonight the Cheshire Prize for Literature anthology "Kaleidoscope" was launched. I was first up to give a short reading and loved hearing other winners, from wise 10 year olds to brilliant poets and storytellers. Thanks to great hosting from the University of Chester.
November 30, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Tonight the Cheshire Prize for Literature anthology "Kaleidoscope" was launched. I was first up to give a short reading and loved hearing other winners, from wise 10 year olds to brilliant poets and storytellers. Thanks to great hosting from the University of Chester.
Death in the Dales, a wonderful festival at Sedbergh Book Town. Privileged to discuss psychological thrillers with M.W. Craven and Caroline England moderated by David Beckler Hugely enjoyable, and brilliant to then sign all available copies of Sharp Scratch for new readers.
November 8, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Death in the Dales, a wonderful festival at Sedbergh Book Town. Privileged to discuss psychological thrillers with M.W. Craven and Caroline England moderated by David Beckler Hugely enjoyable, and brilliant to then sign all available copies of Sharp Scratch for new readers.
So thrilled to see Sharp Scratch on display in Punk: the Art of Rebellion exhibition @Manchester Central Library. As @louderthanwar.bsky.social said, Lorraine Quick "may well be literature's first post-punk crime-solver".
On show till the end 2025.
On show till the end 2025.
November 3, 2025 at 4:58 PM
So thrilled to see Sharp Scratch on display in Punk: the Art of Rebellion exhibition @Manchester Central Library. As @louderthanwar.bsky.social said, Lorraine Quick "may well be literature's first post-punk crime-solver".
On show till the end 2025.
On show till the end 2025.
Reposted by Martine Bailey Writer
This was a great speech, very happy others get to read it now!
A few months ago I was asked to give the after-dinner speech at the CWA Daggers. I chose to talk about AI, and the bravery and humanity involved in reading and writing. Afterwards a lot of people asked me to post the speech online, so here it is. I hope you like it ruthware.com/daggers-spee...
Daggers Speech
The following is a lightly edited version of a speech I was asked to give at the 2025 Daggers – the prestigious crime fiction awards administered by the Crime Writer’s Association of the UK.
ruthware.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:05 PM
This was a great speech, very happy others get to read it now!
I love New Zealand writing and recommend The Mires by Tina Makereti - so reminiscent of my time living in Whakatane.
Thrilling to see my author Tina Makereti longlisted for a second time, for her latest novel THE MIRES!
It’s here! All the books longlisted for the 2025 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards
October 30, 2025 at 7:51 AM
I love New Zealand writing and recommend The Mires by Tina Makereti - so reminiscent of my time living in Whakatane.
Reposted by Martine Bailey Writer
We are thrilled to be working with Johnson & Alcock Literary Agency on the Great Northern Read Award, for unpublished writers of commercial, genre and book club fiction 📚
Applications will open in Nov 2025 as part of the #NorthernWritersAwards.
Find out more: newwritingnorth.com/johnson-alco...
Applications will open in Nov 2025 as part of the #NorthernWritersAwards.
Find out more: newwritingnorth.com/johnson-alco...
Johnson & Alcock to deliver new award as part of the Northern Writers' Awards - New Writing North
Literary agency Johnson & Alcock will support a new award – the Great Northern Read Award – for debut writers...
newwritingnorth.com
April 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
We are thrilled to be working with Johnson & Alcock Literary Agency on the Great Northern Read Award, for unpublished writers of commercial, genre and book club fiction 📚
Applications will open in Nov 2025 as part of the #NorthernWritersAwards.
Find out more: newwritingnorth.com/johnson-alco...
Applications will open in Nov 2025 as part of the #NorthernWritersAwards.
Find out more: newwritingnorth.com/johnson-alco...
Just 3 days left until the paperback release of ##IsolationWard on Thursday.
Pre-order here tinyurl.com/48etnzp5
Pre-order here tinyurl.com/48etnzp5
August 18, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Just 3 days left until the paperback release of ##IsolationWard on Thursday.
Pre-order here tinyurl.com/48etnzp5
Pre-order here tinyurl.com/48etnzp5
Reposted by Martine Bailey Writer
Welcome to my new podcast: Talking the Gothic ~ 1: The Castle of Otranto open.substack.com/pub/essiefox...
Talking the Gothic ~ 1: The Castle of Otranto
Essie Fox takes a deep dive into what’s generally acclaimed as the first English Gothic novel - Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto.
open.substack.com
June 21, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Welcome to my new podcast: Talking the Gothic ~ 1: The Castle of Otranto open.substack.com/pub/essiefox...
Reposted by Martine Bailey Writer
📖 HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY to Alison Layland buff.ly/cBQX0bo with ‘After The Clearances’!
July 10, 2025 at 11:02 AM
📖 HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY to Alison Layland buff.ly/cBQX0bo with ‘After The Clearances’!
Save the date for this #CrimeFest #DeathintheDales in gorgeous Sedburgh, Cumbria.
Excited to be part of this delightful and friendly event running 17-19 October.
www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
Excited to be part of this delightful and friendly event running 17-19 October.
www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
DEATH IN THE DALES - FESTIVAL OF CRIME WRITING 2025
SEDBERGH ENGLAND'S BOOKTOWN is proud to present the DEATH IN THE DALES FESTIVAL 2025.
16 acclaimed authors will gather in Sedbergh on 17/18/19...
www.trybooking.com
July 12, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Save the date for this #CrimeFest #DeathintheDales in gorgeous Sedburgh, Cumbria.
Excited to be part of this delightful and friendly event running 17-19 October.
www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
Excited to be part of this delightful and friendly event running 17-19 October.
www.trybooking.com/uk/events/la...
Happy surprise at Chester Uni's event for the Cheshire Prize for Literature. Lovely awards for poetry & fiction, and lastly scriptwriting, which I'd entered. Unsurprised I didn't win. But I am runner-up! Very happy - my script gets into the published anthology plus a huge boost to my scriptwriting.
July 12, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Happy surprise at Chester Uni's event for the Cheshire Prize for Literature. Lovely awards for poetry & fiction, and lastly scriptwriting, which I'd entered. Unsurprised I didn't win. But I am runner-up! Very happy - my script gets into the published anthology plus a huge boost to my scriptwriting.
Reposted by Martine Bailey Writer
In the 1st hour of the #TREBookshow, with Hannah Murray from 20.00CET - bestseller lists from @AmazonUK and #TheSundayTimes, @franquinn.bsky.social , @martinebailey.bsky.social, and Fran McKendrick #TuneIn on https://tre.radio or TRE Radio App
May 3, 2025 at 5:50 PM
In the 1st hour of the #TREBookshow, with Hannah Murray from 20.00CET - bestseller lists from @AmazonUK and #TheSundayTimes, @franquinn.bsky.social , @martinebailey.bsky.social, and Fran McKendrick #TuneIn on https://tre.radio or TRE Radio App
Reposted by Martine Bailey Writer
'Hope' by GFWatts, a painting for our times.
A blindfolded girl representing humanity sits on the globe, taking comfort from the last string of her broken lyre. Never abandon hope.
Said to have drawn @BarackObama to enter politics - may it continue to inspire.
#inspiregreatness
A blindfolded girl representing humanity sits on the globe, taking comfort from the last string of her broken lyre. Never abandon hope.
Said to have drawn @BarackObama to enter politics - may it continue to inspire.
#inspiregreatness
April 7, 2025 at 9:34 AM
'Hope' by GFWatts, a painting for our times.
A blindfolded girl representing humanity sits on the globe, taking comfort from the last string of her broken lyre. Never abandon hope.
Said to have drawn @BarackObama to enter politics - may it continue to inspire.
#inspiregreatness
A blindfolded girl representing humanity sits on the globe, taking comfort from the last string of her broken lyre. Never abandon hope.
Said to have drawn @BarackObama to enter politics - may it continue to inspire.
#inspiregreatness
Reposted by Martine Bailey Writer
Just spent a bit of time in an Yorkshire asylum
As a reader, before you ask ;)
What an experience! Thanks @martinebailey.bsky.social
thebooktrail.com/book-trails/...
@allisonandbusby.bsky.social
As a reader, before you ask ;)
What an experience! Thanks @martinebailey.bsky.social
thebooktrail.com/book-trails/...
@allisonandbusby.bsky.social
Isolation Ward - The Book Trail
BookTrail Boarding Pass: Isolation Ward Destination/location: Yorkshire Author/guide: Martine Bailey Departure Time: 1983
thebooktrail.com
May 3, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Just spent a bit of time in an Yorkshire asylum
As a reader, before you ask ;)
What an experience! Thanks @martinebailey.bsky.social
thebooktrail.com/book-trails/...
@allisonandbusby.bsky.social
As a reader, before you ask ;)
What an experience! Thanks @martinebailey.bsky.social
thebooktrail.com/book-trails/...
@allisonandbusby.bsky.social
Here's a little trailer about the brief but intense time that inspired #IsolationWard.
@allisonandbusby.bsky.social
@allisonandbusby.bsky.social
May 1, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Here's a little trailer about the brief but intense time that inspired #IsolationWard.
@allisonandbusby.bsky.social
@allisonandbusby.bsky.social
Huge thanks to Cheshire and Chester Libraries for their brilliant support for #IsolationWard. It's this month's 'hidden gem' 💎
April 29, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Huge thanks to Cheshire and Chester Libraries for their brilliant support for #IsolationWard. It's this month's 'hidden gem' 💎
The say after publication of #IsolationWard, it's good to take a moment and remember this is my 6th novel. It's been an amazing experience that's taken me to extraordinary places - geographical and imaginary. And now time to ponder - what next?
April 18, 2025 at 9:45 AM
The say after publication of #IsolationWard, it's good to take a moment and remember this is my 6th novel. It's been an amazing experience that's taken me to extraordinary places - geographical and imaginary. And now time to ponder - what next?
Reposted by Martine Bailey Writer
Tripfiction is a site that matches books to locations - I've often used it to find inspiration for holiday reading. Today I'm delighted to see my article on Yorkshire, location of Isolation Ward, taking in Hebden Bridge, Menston Asylum, the empty moors, and more.
Talking Location With Martine Bailey - YORKSHIRE - TripFiction
#TalkingLocationWith… Martine Bailey, author of Isolation Ward, set in YORKSHIRE I knew right from the beginning that the setting for my latest book,
www.tripfiction.com
April 16, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Tripfiction is a site that matches books to locations - I've often used it to find inspiration for holiday reading. Today I'm delighted to see my article on Yorkshire, location of Isolation Ward, taking in Hebden Bridge, Menston Asylum, the empty moors, and more.
Tripfiction is a site that matches books to locations - I've often used it to find inspiration for holiday reading. Today I'm delighted to see my article on Yorkshire, location of Isolation Ward, taking in Hebden Bridge, Menston Asylum, the empty moors, and more.
Talking Location With Martine Bailey - YORKSHIRE - TripFiction
#TalkingLocationWith… Martine Bailey, author of Isolation Ward, set in YORKSHIRE I knew right from the beginning that the setting for my latest book,
www.tripfiction.com
April 16, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Tripfiction is a site that matches books to locations - I've often used it to find inspiration for holiday reading. Today I'm delighted to see my article on Yorkshire, location of Isolation Ward, taking in Hebden Bridge, Menston Asylum, the empty moors, and more.
Reposted by Martine Bailey Writer
Announcing the longlist for the 2025 Dagger for the Best Crime & Mystery Publisher! Congratulations, publishers, and good luck in the next round! #CWA_Daggers
#Daggers_2025
#Daggers_2025
April 16, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Announcing the longlist for the 2025 Dagger for the Best Crime & Mystery Publisher! Congratulations, publishers, and good luck in the next round! #CWA_Daggers
#Daggers_2025
#Daggers_2025
After an anxious start #IsolationWard has settled at an average 4 🌟 on #NetGalley as publication day looms on Thursday. Huge thanks to all you #bookbloggers and reviewers out there 🙏
April 15, 2025 at 10:29 AM
After an anxious start #IsolationWard has settled at an average 4 🌟 on #NetGalley as publication day looms on Thursday. Huge thanks to all you #bookbloggers and reviewers out there 🙏
'Hope' by GFWatts, a painting for our times.
A blindfolded girl representing humanity sits on the globe, taking comfort from the last string of her broken lyre. Never abandon hope.
Said to have drawn @BarackObama to enter politics - may it continue to inspire.
#inspiregreatness
A blindfolded girl representing humanity sits on the globe, taking comfort from the last string of her broken lyre. Never abandon hope.
Said to have drawn @BarackObama to enter politics - may it continue to inspire.
#inspiregreatness
April 7, 2025 at 9:34 AM
'Hope' by GFWatts, a painting for our times.
A blindfolded girl representing humanity sits on the globe, taking comfort from the last string of her broken lyre. Never abandon hope.
Said to have drawn @BarackObama to enter politics - may it continue to inspire.
#inspiregreatness
A blindfolded girl representing humanity sits on the globe, taking comfort from the last string of her broken lyre. Never abandon hope.
Said to have drawn @BarackObama to enter politics - may it continue to inspire.
#inspiregreatness