Roxie Key
I’m a crime thriller author from Northampton, where I live with my wife Laura and daughter Hallie. I’ve always been a writer… although the stories I wrote as a child about my pets will never see the light of day, I knew from a young age that one day I wanted to see my name on a book cover. I studied Creative & Media Writing at Middlesex University and then went on to become a copywriter for a global brand. I’m represented by the always brilliant Maddalena Cavaciuti at David Higham Associates. My debut novel, The Deadly Spark, is out now in the UK, US and Canada! When I’m not writing, I can usually be found swimming, reading or gaming.
Roxie can be found at:
Website: roxiekey.com
Facebook: facebook.com/RoxieKeyAuthor
Instagram: @RoxieAdelleKey
TikTok: @roxiekeyauthor
Threads: @roxieadellekey
Twitter: @RoxieAdelleKey
Bluesky: @roxiekey.bsky.social
Pinterest: uk.pinterest.com/roxie_key
Tell me what inspired you to write your debut novel?
A few things sparked the idea, one of which I can’t tell you about as it’ll reveal something I really don’t want you to know yet… the killer’s identity! But honestly? The reason I wanted to write about a deadly fire was because it’s one of my biggest phobias, ever since we were shown a video at primary school about how quickly a house can go up in flames. Fire is so beautiful but so destructive, so dramatic, and the mental image of a burning house is so emotive, so naturally, it’s great to write about.
What came first the characters or the world?
Definitely the characters, alongside the plot. I totally fell in love with my characters quite early on! I didn’t decide on the setting of Brighton and the Scottish Highlands until a few drafts in, and it just worked with the story.
How hard was it to get your first book published?
Quite hard but not as hard as others. I started writing The Deadly Spark in the summer of 2019, just after my honeymoon. After many, many rejections, I finally met my dream literary agent Maddalena Cavaciuti on Twitter in 2020. We polished the manuscript together, and landed a contract with HQ early 2021. It wasn’t published until May 2024, and it’s been a rollercoaster ever since – not just the publishing journey, but I also managed to have a baby in that time.
How long did it take to write?
From first draft to final final final edit, it was probably around four years. If I remember correctly, the first draft took about six months, but it went through so many edits over the years. It was certainly a long-winded process, but I’m hoping book number two will be a quicker process now I know (sort of) what I’m doing.
Do you have a writing playlist? If so do you want to share it?
Actually, I don’t. I tend to listen to all sorts of things depending on my mood. Usually I pick a generic acoustic playlist from Spotify if I’m writing. I did make a playlist of songs that appear in the book which can be found here.
How many publishers turned you down?
It was twenty-something. I can’t remember the exact number. I do remember it *almost* getting to a bidding war situation but one publisher dropped out before we got to that stage.
What kind of reactions have you had to your book?
I’d say mostly great – the reviews on Amazon average around 4.5 stars, and on Goodreads around 3.9 – Goodreads is brutal, so I’ll take it. I had some great blurbs from fellow crime fiction authors, including Jane Casey and Clare Mackintosh. Most crime readers seemed to love it too. I did find that having it selected as a Chapter 25 Book Club read was a double-edge sword: a nice sales boost, but a lot of non-crime readers who just hated it.
What’s the favourite reaction you’ve had to your book?
When people say they want a sequel, which I’d absolutely love to do! I also love it when people say how much they like the characters. It’s such a personal thing, and I really appreciate it.
What can you tell us about your next book?
I’m currently working on a standalone psychological thriller, all about sleepwalking. I’ve also got a sapphic romantic comedy in my back pocket, but it’s in the very early stages. Watch this space.
Do you take notice of online reviews?
Probably a little too much. In fact, just as I was answering about the reactions to my book, I had a quick peek on Goodreads and saw a pretty spiteful 1-star review. But I’ve realised that if my favourite authors are getting 1-star reviews, then I can deal with a bit of that too. I definitely think the good outweighs the bad in terms of the reviews for The Deadly Spark, although I’ve been warned time and time again to stay away from Goodreads.
Do I listen?
I do not.
Would you ever consider writing outside your current genre?
Absolutely! I’ve always wanted to write diverse and inclusive children’s fiction, and I’d love to write a sapphic romantic comedy.
What did you do before (or still do) you became a writer?
I’m a creative copywriter for Avon Cosmetics Europe, and I am dabbling in a bit of freelance writing on the side. I recently had an article published in Mslexia, and do little bits like blog posts and proofreading for people. And then there’s also parenting a toddler, which is a full-time job in itself.
Which authors inspire you?
I find inspiration in everything I read, from Gillian McAllister’s incredible characterisation and Louise Jensen’s beautiful description, to Jane Casey’s expert procedural plotting and Clare Mackintosh’s killer twists and reveals. I’ve recently got into Erin Kelly’s books which I adore for the stunning way she constructs a sentence.
Which genres do you read yourself?
Mostly crime – I love psychological thrillers and police procedurals. But I do like to mix it up with lighter reads like romantic comedies and romantasy, especially if they feature queer characters.
What is your biggest motivator?
My initial motivator was seeing my book out in the wild, on the shelves of book shops. Now I’ve achieved that, my dream is that one day I’ll be able to earn a living from writing books. I’m a long way off, but I’m only 36, so there’s time.
What will always distract you?
Ugh, housework. There’s always something to do, isn’t there? My kid is also pretty distracting, in the best possible way.
The Deadly Spark
How much (if any) say do you have in your book covers?
I’m proud to say I came up with the idea for the cover of The Deadly Spark, and I think HQ did an amazing job bringing it to life.
Were you a big reader as a child?
A *huge* one. My dad read me a bedtime story every night without fail, and we always had books in the house. It makes me so happy that my daughter is the same.
What were your favourite childhood books?
When I was little, I was all about Enid Blyton – I just wanted to go on adventures with The Famous Five. Then I got into fantasy as a teen – Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, that sort of thing. I also remember loving some the classics, like The Secret Garden, Tom’s Midnight Garden and A Little Princess.
Do you have a favourite bookshop? If so, which?
We have some lovely independents not too far from us in Northampton. My favourite is Suddenly on Sheaf Street, a stunning shop that stocks all sorts of books and beautiful gifts.
What books can you not resist buying?
Aside from twisty crime thrillers with a brilliant hook, I’m pretty addicted to buying books for my daughter. If I see *any* book that features either two mums, anything about space, or anything written by Julia Donaldson, it’s going straight in my basket.
Do you have any rituals when writing?
I don’t have time for rituals – I write whenever and wherever I can, between work, parenting, household jobs and trying to keep fit. I would love the luxury of being able to have my own writing space, with calming music, scented candles and a perfectly positioned ergonomic chair, but the reality for me (and most busy writers) is snatching half an hour as a slump over my laptop in bed and wonder why I complain about my bad back so much.
How many books are in your own physical TBR pile?
In the words of many suspects in the type of books I read… “no comment.”
What is your current or latest read?
I’m reading an ARC of The Missing Hour by Robert Rutherford. I loved Seven Days and this one is proving to be just as good! I’m also listening to The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell, which I’m enjoying a lot.
Any books that you’re looking forward to in the next 12 months?
The next Norfolk Mysteries book by Rob Parker. Book 1, The Troubled Deep, was so addictive, I can’t wait to see what happens next.
And finally, what inspired you to write the genre you do?
Following my childhood obsession with Harry Potter, I spent a long time working on various children’s fantasy novels before I realised that sort of story takes a certain kind of brain – one which I do not possess! It wasn’t until I picked up Jane Casey’s debut novel, The Missing, I thought yes – this is right up my street. I love this. Maybe I could do this. And the more crime fiction I read, the more certain I became that it was what I wanted to do.
