Calling All (Crime) Readers: Author Pam Lecky on Embracing the Challenge of Writing in a New Genre.
I grew up in a house where reading was encouraged, and devoured historical fiction, biography, and crime, and even dipped my toe into the Classics. However, it wasn’t until my late forties that the idea of writing a book took hold, and it was only natural that history and crime would feature. My debut novel blended romance, Fenian shenanigans, and suspense. I wrote it as a challenge with no intention of publishing, but my family’s encouragement changed that. Published in 2015, The Bowes Inheritance received award nominations,and that was it; I was hooked on this writing lark.
Short Stories in a Different Genre
Unsure what to write next, I experimented with a series of short stories of different genres. Short story writing is a wonderful way to hone your skills, and I learned a huge amount, but I knew I had at least one more book in me. That next novel, No Stone Unturned, proved a turning point, and my writing career took off.
No Stone Unturned and the Lucy Lawrence Mystery Series grew in popularity. Set in the late Victorian era, the five murder mysteries in the series were a joy to write, combining my love of history, mystery, and crime. Storm Publishing bought the rights to the series, and the books have been re-released and are doing very well, regularly in the top ten on Amazon. And you’d think I’d be a happy camper and continue to write more books in that series… Not quite. (For Lucy fans, please note there will be more books in due course.)
Bringing Something Unique to a Genre
However, in the meantime, my agent was encouraging me to write WW2 fiction. I resisted, fearing it was a saturated market. But then that little devil on my shoulder was whispering those fatal words, wouldn’t it be a challenge? My reluctance stemmed from a fear that I couldn’t bring anything unique to the genre. The answer, however, was simple: an Irish angle.
Her Secret War was the result, and it went out on submission. It was a WW2 espionage thriller featuring a young woman who survives the North Strand bombing in Dublin in May 1941, which kills her family and leaves her homeless. The trilogy follows her story as she leaves Ireland for the UK to live with family, only for her to be recruited by MI5. To be honest, no one was more surprised than I was when Avon Books UK (Harper Collins) signed me up for a four-book deal; three books in the WW2 espionage series and a standalone WW2 police procedural (Under A Lightning Sky).
Guess What?
But guess what? I was itching to do something different again. I had always wanted to write a contemporary crime series set in Ireland. A dangerous move, perhaps? In a way, it was, but thank goodness Storm Publishing was on board pretty quickly. However, my loyal readers, who love historical crime, may not want to read contemporary crime or a series set on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. But I see this as an opportunity to reach a completely fresh set of readers for my books.
But that isn’t the only challenge. Historical and contemporary crime require different approaches, even utilising distinct styles of language. I thought this would be the most difficult transition to make, but it came naturally. The language is simpler and less flowery in a contemporary book, and there’s a fair amount of cursing, but for feck’s sake, that’s how we Irish speak. There’s also more banter between the characters, and technology plays a large part, too. These are tricky elements to get right, but crucial.
Meticulous Research
What both genres have in common is meticulous research. For over ten years, I have built up a library of historical reference books, but those are not much use for this new series. Strictly between us, I have been buying new, more relevant books. Ahem! Let’s move on.
Many years ago, I became acquainted with a retired garda, who has been a godsend. He’s very patient, as I’m constantly emailing or texting him with questions. The man is a saint! And through my network of writers, I met a specialist in crime writing, focussing on the science and forensics. He may have earned a halo, too.
Marketing and promotion for new releases is always a stress for writers, not least because what worked two years ago, five years ago, no longer does. I panicked. How could I reach those new readers who love contemporary crime? But my years of experience have helped. I have a network of writer friends from almost every genre who support me. My relationship with reviewers means I can now reach out to them, and they have been very receptive and willing to accept ARC copies for review. Several contemporary crime writers have also agreed to read, review, and share on their social media.
Promotional Plans
My publisher, Storm Publishing, is planning several promotions, including on BookBub and Amazon, and the first book in the series will shortly go up on NetGalley, where it will be available for review. On my social media platforms, my website, and my newsletter, I am getting the word out there. Exhausting, isn’t it? Will it actually work? I can only hope.
Publishing is a tough business. Writing is hard but rewarding. But I have been incredibly lucky, not only in finding an agent who champions me, but by signing with publishers who have taken a chance when I veer off on a tangent (in a very risk-averse industry). My network of writer friends has sustained me when I’ve had moments of doubt and the dreaded writer’s block. I probably haven’t made it easy for myself by changing lanes so often, but if I don’t challenge myself to try new things, who will?
(c) Pam Lecky
About The Clew Bay Detectives:
Welcome to Westport, where the wild beauty of Ireland’s western coast hides deadly secrets…
Reeling from a devastating breakup, landscape gardener Ali Brennan escapes to the small coastal town of Westport, hoping its rugged shoreline and quiet rhythms will help her rebuild her life. But peace is short lived when wealthy landowner John Clifford-Murphy is found dead on a remote island in Clew Bay – alone, and inexplicably without his phone or vital medication.
The local Gardaí are quick to rule the death an accident. Ali isn’t so sure… especially when Clifford-Murphy’s widow begs her to look more closely. Joined by her enthusiastic college-dropout nephew, Gav, Ali begins to ask questions the tight-knit community would rather leave unanswered. And when her ex-boyfriend, Detective Aidan Cahill, turns up to inform her that her life is under threat, Ali is forced to confront the past she thought she’d left behind.
As secrets surface, the danger escalates. When Ali herself becomes a target – waking terrified and alone on the shores of nearby lake Doo Lough – it’s clear the investigation has drawn her into something far darker than she ever imagined. Can Ali uncover the truth before the killer strikes again?
The Clew Bay Detectives, the first book in the Wild Atlantic Murders series, will be published on 16th June 2026. You can pre-order your copy online here. The second book is slated for publication in November 2026, while the third will be published in June 2027.
Read more from Pam Lecky on Writing.ie here.
