Mari Hannah

Mari Hannah is a British crime fiction author best known for her Kate Daniels detective series and the Ryan and O'Neil thrillers. She began her writing career after a serious wrist injury forced her to leave her role as a probation officer in the UK. Her debut novel, The Murder Wall, was published in 2012 and won the Polari First Book Prize. Hannah's work draws heavily from her experience in law enforcement and her intimate knowledge of police procedures, which she gained while working as a writer-in-residence at a high-security prison. The Kate Daniels series follows a female Detective Chief Inspector in Northumberland, England, and has earned Hannah multiple awards including the CWA Dagger in the Library Award in 2017. Her writing is particularly noted for its authentic portrayal of police work and its strong sense of place in northeast England. Hannah's books have been optioned for television, and she serves as a reader for the Crime Writers' Association's debut dagger competition. She currently resides in Northumberland, where she continues to write both the Kate Daniels series and standalone crime novels.

Readers value Hannah's authentic portrayal of police procedures and investigative details, citing her law enforcement background as adding credibility to the narratives. Many reviews highlight her ability to create atmospheric settings in northeast England. What readers liked: - Complex character development of Kate Daniels - Technical accuracy in police procedures - Strong sense of place and local detail - Well-paced plotting - LGBTQ+ representation What readers disliked: - Some found early books in series slow to start - Occasional complaints about predictable plot elements - A few readers mentioned difficulty connecting with secondary characters Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Average 4.0/5 across all books - The Murder Wall: 3.8/5 (2,500+ ratings) - Deadly Deceit: 4.1/5 (1,800+ ratings) Amazon UK: Average 4.3/5 - Kate Daniels series consistently rates higher than standalone novels - Monument to Murder most highly rated at 4.6/5 Common reader comment: "The procedural details feel real rather than researched"

The Kate Daniels Series: The Murder Wall - DCI Kate Daniels investigates her first case as Senior Investigating Officer when a priest is found dead in a Newcastle church.

Settled Blood - A young woman's body is discovered on the Northumberland moors, leading Kate Daniels into an investigation involving migrant workers.

Deadly Deceit - Kate Daniels must solve two seemingly unconnected murders while dealing with a reporter who's gotten too close to the investigation.

Monument to Murder - A skeleton discovered at Bamburgh Beach connects to a twenty-year-old cold case and a present-day murder.

Killing for Keeps - Kate Daniels investigates the brutal murders of two brothers from a criminal family in Newcastle.

Silent Room - Special Branch Officer Jack Fenwick's disappearance leads his former sergeant, Matthew Ryan, to uncover corruption within the force.

The Ryan & O'Neil Series: The Lost - Detective David Stone and DS Frankie Oliver investigate when a young woman goes missing from Newcastle Central Station.

The Insider - Stone and Oliver pursue a killer targeting victims through a dating app while dealing with a leak in their own department.

The Scandal - A death at a private hospital leads Stone and Oliver to investigate corruption in the healthcare system.

Without a Trace - Stone and Oliver search for a missing family while uncovering dark secrets in a seemingly peaceful coastal town.

Ann Cleeves writes police procedurals set in northern England featuring female detectives, including the Vera Stanhope series. Her mysteries focus on complex investigations in tight-knit communities, with characters dealing with personal and professional challenges.

Val McDermid creates crime fiction centered in Scotland with recurring detective characters and police teams. Her books contain detailed forensics and psychological elements while exploring dark criminal cases.

Peter James writes police procedurals following Detective Roy Grace in Brighton, England. His plots incorporate cold cases and contemporary crimes with an emphasis on police methodology and procedure.

Elly Griffiths develops mysteries featuring forensic archaeologist Ruth Galloway in Norfolk, England. Her stories combine police investigations with elements of history and archaeology while following a core team of recurring characters.

Kate Ellis produces crime novels set in Devon featuring Detective Wesley Peterson, mixing present-day police work with historical mysteries. Her books connect modern murders to past crimes through archaeological discoveries and historical research.