LJ Ross

LJ Ross is a British crime fiction author and the creator of the DCI Ryan series, one of the bestselling independently published crime fiction series in the world. Her novels are set against the dramatic landscapes of Northumberland and the northeast of England, and have sold millions of copies worldwide. Born Louise Ross, she studied law and worked as a solicitor in London and the northeast before turning to writing. She published her debut novel, Holy Island, in 2015 as a self-published author, and its success launched both a prolific writing career and her own publishing company, Dark Skies Publishing. The DCI Ryan series follows Detective Chief Inspector Maxwell Finlay-Ryan as he investigates murders in and around Northumberland. Holy Island, set on the tidal island of Lindisfarne, was followed by Sycamore Gap, Heavenfield, Angel, High Force, Cragside, Dark Skies, Seven Bridges, The Hermitage, Longstone, The Infirmary, The Moor, Penshaw, Borderlands, Ryan's Christmas, and many more. The series now spans over twenty novels and has sold over eight million copies. Ross has also written the Alexander Gregory thriller series, featuring a forensic psychologist, and has branched into other genres while maintaining her core crime fiction readership. What makes Ross's success remarkable is that she achieved it almost entirely through self-publishing. She has consistently topped the Amazon bestseller charts, outselling many traditionally published crime writers, and has become a case study in the power of independent publishing. The audiobook editions of Ross's novels are hugely popular, with narrators capturing the atmospheric Northumberland settings and the tension of her investigations. Her books and audiobooks are essential for crime fiction fans who love atmospheric settings, compelling mysteries, and a detective they can follow through book after book.