CLEM HUNTER – Crime Fiction Writer

As published in the January 2025 edition of Writing Magazine

I have just published my debut novel, ‘Death in Blossom Hill’ featuring young female DI, Olive Jones. 

I retired in my early sixties from a career in administration where I always meant to find time to write but never managed to get down to it. Life was busy – my husband was in the RAF and we moved location every couple of years. I was happy to follow him but this meant my changing jobs frequently, the children changing schools and a complete re-orientation of my life. I simply didn’t have time to write nor did I have the right disposition to knuckle under and get down to it.

It wasn’t until I retired that I finally found my vocation and concentrated on writing fiction.

It began with an adult education creative writing course, writing lots of short stories and poems, the praise of class mates giving me confidence to continue. Then, during lockdown, I discovered on-line writing courses and devoured them all. I tried writing children’s stories, dystopian stories, short stories, longer stories, flash fiction and, eventually, a novel. 

Although my peripatetic lifestyle had done little for my career prospects it had brought me into contact with many different colourful characters from all persuasions and locations. 

I am also fortunate in having a very talented family – a creative artist son capable of designing a beautiful book cover, a husband who set up a small publishing company several years ago and a sister who is a capable proof reader. All I had to do was write the book and stick at it.

I had a few good people willing to read it and in the early days had to take it on the chin when feedback was no more than lukewarm. I learnt to self-edit – after all, it’s my book and others can only suggest what they think might improve it. Eventually after roughly a year of re-editing I sent it to a handful of new readers for feedback on my ‘cosy crime caper.’

Later, I was surprised and more than a little gratified to receive this text from one of my reviewers: ‘ What the hell, you killed xxx! I am too gripped; this is not a Book at Bedtime. I have to calm down now!!’

And then a reader-friend texted: ‘At first I was conscious that it was your book, but very soon I was gripped!’

These nuggets of encouragement gave me the impetus to finish the book and get it to publication. I am now writing the follow-up. 

Death in Blossom Hill by Clem Hunter is available now on Amazon and through bookstores.