Meet the ex-army officer who has turned to a life of crime

Wendy Jones left the army to realise her dream of writing crime novels

Two decades in the military opened Wendy Jones’ eyes to all kinds of things – but it’s nothing to the scenarios she now conjures up as a crime writer.

She spent six years in the Royal Navy as a nurse and a further 17 years in the army as a nursing officer, leaving with the rank of major.

And that’s when her life moved off in an entirely new direction.

“My army career took me all over the world and I loved every minute of it.,” says Wendy.

“But I’ve always had a dream that I would write books that brought pleasure to people so when I left the army I decided to follow that dream.”

Having had work published in academic textbooks and journals Wendy settled down to novel writing and has recently published the fourth mystery in her Detective Inspector Shona McKenzie series set in her hometown, Dundee.

Her heroine is feisty, funny and sharp and doesn’t suffer fools gladly. “She’s not based on me but there’s definitely a bit of me in her,” admits Wendy.

“Most of my inspiration and ideas come from my imagination. People tell me the inside of my head must be a worrying place to be.

“Everyday life can give me inspiration in many and varied ways. A walk beside a loch in glorious sunshine and most people would be admiring the scenery whereas I’m usually thinking of the many and varied ways you I could bury a body. In a literary sense I may add.”

Wendy loves creating stories that readers enjoy, and still gets a thrill from bringing her characters to life.

She is currently working on her fifth mystery and has just signed up to write the Fergus and Flora mysteries for young adults. This time her heroine is descended from Flora MacDonald and in the first of the stories she and her sidekick set out to solve an archaeological mystery based in Dundee.

It’s not all plain sailing, says Wendy, but it’s worth the effort.

“Writing can be a solitary occupation and it’s difficult when a plot point doesn’t seem to be working out but my subconscious mind will often work away, leading to a eureka moment when I rapidly scribble down the idea.”

Killer’s Cut is published by Scott and Lawson, priced £9.99.

I’m usually thinking about how to bury a body

Wendy loves bringing her characters to life and creating crime stories readers will enjoy.