Writing a crime series and keeping it fresh

So how does a writer keep the series fresh and the central character of interest to readers?

Readers buy my books because they enjoy the style, the setting and reading about the same characters, but the challenge is how to keep faithful to my readers and make each novel fresh and different?

The main character's backstory and ongoing personal strife

For me creating a central character with a back story, which can be progressed with each new novel, is one way of introducing a fresh element. DI Andy Horton has the continuing mission, along with all the accompanying internal strife, of trying to discover why his mother (Jennifer) abandoned him at the age of ten, where she went and what subsequently happened to her.

For all his childhood Horton has been told that his mother ran off with a man and didn't want a kid in tow and he's believed it, until in book number three in the DI Andy Horton series, THE SUFFOCATING SEA, his involvement in a murder investigation reveals something about his mother that throws that tale into doubt. As Horton delves deeper he learns that Jennifer is suspected of being involved with a master criminal code named Zeus, who the Intelligence Directorate, Europol and Interpol are very keen to get their hands on and are eager to enlist Horton’s help in finding. But as the series progresses it is clear that this is not the case and there is a great deal more to Jennifer's disappearance than Horton has been led to believe. (I won't reveal what and spoil it for new readers).


While these elements must not be allowed to dominate the novel (and not all of them are in every novel) they keep the reader wondering what might happen and allow the development of subplots and other sides of Horton’s character to be revealed.

Interaction with different characters within the police teams

DI Andy Horton is based in Portsmouth CID with an abrasive alpha female boss, DCI Lorraine Bliss, who is introduced in novel three - THE SUFFOCATING SEA. DCI Bliss is a by-the-book copper while Andy is more instinctive and a risk taker, as a result the two of them will never see eye to eye. Along with the CID team of DCI Bliss, DI Andy Horton, Sergeant Cantelli and DC Walters there is also the Major Crime Team which deals with the homicide cases under the leadership of coarse and ambitious Detective Superintendent Steve Uckfield, so Andy is often working alongside the Major Crime Team which again gives the murder mystery investigation new dimensions. I also introduce officers seconded from other units, which in turn alters the chemistry between the characters and the ensuing dialogue.

The Setting

Setting is another key element in the Horton series and can help to keep the series fresh. All my crime novels are marine based, i.e. they are set against the backdrop of the ever changing sea. In the Solent there is plenty of contrast and action ranging from small fishing boats to ferries; gigantic container ships and cargo ships; leisure sailors and Royal Navy vessels both British and foreign; cargo boats, canoes, windsurfers, kite surfers and more. The weather too is highly variable and with that comes the changes in the patterns, movement and colour of the sea and Horton spends a good deal of time on and around the sea crossing on the ferries and with the police marine unit.  This all helps to create variety, conflict and action in the novels and keep the stories fresh.  Added to this is the fact that Horton lives on board his small sailing yacht, so he can always up sticks and travel – on holiday, or for a day out sailing… and who knows what might happen?  He may even discover a body! (BLOOD ON THE SAND)

There is always plenty happening in the Solent for me to draw inspiration from, and there is a superb contrast of settings to draw on in the location including marinas, a thriving commercial port, an historic dockyard, active naval base, coastal shores and bays, so no shortage of ideas. Taking those ideas and turning them into plots that will have readers eagerly turning the pages and waiting for the next installment is the tricky bit.

I enjoy writing a series and seeing the characters' lives unfold, and I hope my readers enjoy reading about DI Andy Horton, his struggles, successes and failures. I'm currently writing number fifteen in the DI Andy Horton series which might just be the final one. I only said 'might'.