Former North East journalists launch debut crime novel featuring therapist sleuth
A new crime heroine makes her on-the-page debut this month as former journalists Jake Lynch and Annabel McGoldrick release their debut co-written novel, Mind Over Murder.
The husband-and-wife writing team, who met while working as regional reporters for ITV, have drawn on their extensive backgrounds in journalism and psychotherapy to create a leading character who bridges the worlds of investigation and mental health.
Jake, originally from Barnsley, has worked across major news outlets including BBC World News, Sky News, and The Independent. He is now working as an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney and recipient of the Luxembourg Peace Prize. Annabel, from Newcastle, transitioned from a career with the BBC to become an accredited EMDR therapist and international trainer.
Their debut novel introduces Janna Rose, a journalist-turned-therapist who is pulled back into the world of investigation when her ex-boyfriend - an environmental activist - dies under suspicious circumstances.
As she begins to untangle a web of political corruption and corporate cover-ups, her training in trauma therapy becomes essential to uncovering the truth and protecting those closest to her.
Mind Over Murder is the first crime novel to feature a psychotherapist protagonist specialising in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), a treatment that has gained wider recognition in recent years, including high-profile endorsements from figures such as Prince Harry.
Jake, who has a previous published crime novel, Blood on the Stone, says the novel grew naturally out of their shared backgrounds and interests.
“The idea for Mind Over Murder came from our relationship and shared passions. Janna’s name is a blend of ours - Jake and Annabel - and her investigative instincts reflect our backgrounds in journalism and peace studies.
“The novel explores contemporary issues of social justice, environmental activism, and the ways social media can be weaponised to manipulate public opinion.”
Mind Over Murder is published by Next Chapter and marks the first in the Janna Rose Mysteries series. It’s out now.