Hello, and welcome! My name is Claire Ladds, and I write crime and suspense, and psychological thrillers, as well as some dark women’s fiction.

I hail from, and live in, the UK. I love writing stories that have twists and turns, and I especially love creating an extra, final twist whenever I can. In my books and short stories, I often explore the grey area between guilt and innocence, and those dark thoughts that even seemingly harmless people harbour in their minds.
I write about numerous characters with obsessions. Maybe it’s because I have a not-so-secret obsession myself – I’m an Agatha Christie fanatic, and have been since my dad bought me The ABC Murders when I was ten.
As well as individual novels, I also write the Darker Minds Crime and Suspense series, in which dark minds are at work and sometimes it takes a darker one to stop them. Each book is a standalone story, based on this theme. I’m hoping you’ll love reading the books as much as I am doing writing them! Expect some nasty villains and flawed characters, as well as some dark twists.
I’ll write anywhere – especially if it means that I don’t have to do it at my writing desk. I don’t know why, but I have an unfathomable loathing of it. One of my favourite places to write is in a cafe. Pretty much any cafe!
When I’m not writing you’ll find me with a cuppa, curled up with a crime book of some kind. Oh, and chocolate. Very important!
There are loads of ways you can hear more from me and about my books, and get some sneak peeks at what’s happening ‘behind the scenes’. If you’d like exclusive content just for members, all my news and writing updates, be notified of any deals on my books, and other good stuff, you can sign up for my Readers’ Club here. You’ll also get a free book when you sign up.
It’s easy to keep up-to-date with my new releases in other ways, too. If you get your books on Amazon, you can go to my Amazon Author page, then just click the yellow ‘follow’ button. That way you’ll always be in the know about my new books and special deals. Follow me on BookBub (you have a red ‘follow’ button to click this time!) to get notified of new releases.
You can also connect with me on social media. I love talking about books on there. You’ll find me on most social media channels, but I tend to hang out most on Instagram and Facebook. 😊
Get a FREE short psychological suspense book when you sign up to my Readers’ Club