Sarah Hilary Interview: The Drowning Place + Reviews of Mars One + The Faraway Inn

Sarah Hilary’s latest novel, *The Drowning Place*, isn’t just another crime thriller—it’s a genre-bending, emotionally charged exploration of trauma, memory, and the weight of the past in a remote Peak District town. Set against the moody, unforgiving landscape of the Dark Peak, the book follows Detective Sergeant Joseph Ash and his new city-born partner, DI Laurie Bauer, as they unravel a brutal murder that echoes two decades-old tragedies. What makes this story stand out isn’t just its chilling atmosphere or layered mystery, but its raw authenticity—Hilary writes with the conviction that true crime fiction must feel real, even when it defies genre expectations. She reveals she didn’t plot the novel, trusting her characters to guide her, and only discovered the killer’s identity in a dream while falling asleep. This instinctive, character-driven approach results in a story that feels alive, haunting, and deeply human. Hilary also shares her journey from self-doubt to publishing triumph, crediting rejection, stamina, and the support of her community as key to her success. The audiobook, narrated by Derbyshire-born actor Simon Lawson, adds another layer of authenticity with regional pronunciation and voice that brings the fictional town of Enska to life. And yes—she’s a firm believer in dunking thin arrowroot biscuits in hot tea, not rich tea, and never in coffee.