I write historical fiction including the popular 1950s Mirabelle Bevan Mysteries & a set of novels based on the real-life adventures of Georgian & Victorian explorers. Occasionally I write TV tie in books for historical drama on ITV in the UK and PBS in the US. In 2019 I remapped Scotland for Historic Environment Scotland, using the urban and rural landscape to commemorate women's history. The resulting book was one of the David Hume Institute's non-fiction picks of the year and was tipped by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon. I am committed to promoting Scottish creativity. I also invest in commercial property - mostly in retail. It's a varied career!Highlights:I sat on the committee of the Society of Authors in Scotland 2009 – 2013, responsible for negotiating a voluntary service level agreement in tandem with Publishing Scotland. 2012 - 2016 I sat on the board of writers’ collective ‘26’ & have been involved with projects at institutions like the V&A, National Museum of Scotland, UNESCO Norwich: City of Literature & the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. Occasionally I appear as a cultural commentator & journalist. I reported from Estonia & Sharjah for BBC Radio 4’s From Our Own Correspondent. I contribute to BBC Radio 4’s Women’s Hour as an expert on ‘being a lady’ & write for the BBC on women's history. I write for several newspapers, including frequently in 2011 for The Guardian. I am an accredited blogger for Huffington Post. As a social & political commentator during the Scottish Independence Referendum, I campaigned with The National Collective & Women for Independence. I appeared on Sky News, CNN, UTV, BBC2, a variety of radio stations & European TV shows. In 2015 I was painted by Sophie McKay Knight & the picture went on display at the National Gallery of Scotland. In 2016 I was voted onto the board of the Crime Writers' Association.
I'm honoured to be named as one of the Saltire Society’s 365 Outstanding Women of Scotland.My Mirabelle Bevan mysteries have been bought by Constable and Robinson in the UK. North American rights were acquired by Kensington Books & TV rights were picked up by STV Productions & a series is now in development.