Ray of Light with Eleanor Ray

Bestselling crime novelist Andrea Mara joins Ray of Light to discuss her novel All Her Fault, its TV adaptation starring Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning, and writing stories about motherhood's deepest fears. We talk about the casting moment that made her scream, how her books grow with her children, emotional labor in parenting, and keeping emotional truth at the heart of page-turning thrillers. A must-listen for writers, parents, a...

In this episode of Ray of Light, I sit down with debut novelist Kristin Koval to discuss her remarkable first novel—a deeply human story about a sister who murders her brother. Rather than leaning into sensation, Kristin has crafted a beautifully observed exploration of family and forgiveness, guilt and love, unfolding across generations.

We discuss the impossible paradox at the heart of her story: what happens when parents must ch...

Join Eleanor Ray as she sits down with international bestselling thriller writer Ruth Ware, whose novels have sold over 10 million copies in 40+ languages worldwide.

In this captivating conversation, Ruth discusses her latest novel The Woman in Suite 11, the highly anticipated follow-up to The Woman in Cabin 10 (recently adapted for Netflix starring Keira Knightley). Discover what it was like seeing her characters come to life on s...

What makes someone capable of terrible things? How do you balance darkness with light in crime fiction? And can a book about serial killers actually be a love story?

In the first episode of season two, I sit down with thriller author Sam Holland to explore the psychology behind her chilling characters, the craft of writing disturbing fiction, and why "The Echo Man" is essentially two love stories... with 30+ murders in between.

We ...

Step into the festive spirit with this special episode of Ray of Light! I’m joined by bestselling contemporary romance author Cressida McLaughlin, whose heartwarming novels have sold over a million copies. We dive into the magic of writing Christmas books (even in the middle of summer!), the power of a strong premise, and the journey from unpublished manuscripts to bestselling success.

Cressida shares her creative rituals—think fai...

In this special Christmas episode of Ray of Light, host Eleanor Ray sits down with Chris McDonald—writing as Chris Frost—to unwrap the secrets behind his chilling festive thriller, "The Christmas Tree Killer." Set against snow-swept landscapes, Chris’s latest novel follows DI Tom Stonem as he hunts a killer who leaves grisly gifts beneath the Christmas tree.

We dive into Chris’s journey from cozy crime to Christmas suspense, the in...

In this episode of Ray of Light, host Eleanor Ray welcomes Heather Critchlow—author of the McIlvanney Prize-shortlisted Cal Lovett crime series and the gripping dystopian novel, The Tomorrow Project.

Heather shares her journey from aspiring writer to published author, discusses the challenges and joys of writing across genres, and offers invaluable advice for aspiring authors. Together, Eleanor and Heather explore the power of per...

In this episode of Ray of Light, host Eleanor Ray welcomes acclaimed historical fiction author Annie Garthwaite, known for her novels "Cecily" and "The King's Mother," which reimagine the War of the Roses from the perspective of the women who shaped history.

Annie shares her journey from a lifelong fascination with medieval women to becoming a published author at 55, discussing the challenges and joys of researching and writing aut...

In this episode of Ray of Light, host Eleanor Ray welcomes bestselling author Clare Leslie Hall to discuss her acclaimed novel "Broken Country." Clare shares the inspiration behind her gripping story of love, loss, and a murder trial, revealing how personal experiences and perseverance shaped her writing journey.

The conversation delves into the challenges of breaking into publishing, the importance of community and resilience, and...

Bestselling author TE Kinsey joins Eleanor Ray for a delightful deep dive into the world of historical cozy crime fiction, the art of writing for joy, and the serendipitous journey from self-publishing to millions of readers. Discover the origins of Lady Hardcastle, the secrets behind crafting memorable characters, and why embracing whimsy (and a bit of luck) can lead to literary success. Tim shares candid insights on research, bal...

Kick off the very first full episode of the Ray of Light podcast as host Eleanor Ray welcomes bestselling author Jackie Kabler. In this inspiring and candid conversation, Jackie shares her journey from TV journalism to writing psychological thrillers, discusses her latest novel "The Revenge Plot," and opens up about the joys and challenges of the writing life.

The episode explores Jackie's creative process, her love of ultra-marat...

In this introduction to the 'Ray of Light' podcast, host and bestselling author Eleanor Ray announces her new series aimed at discussing reading, writing, and happiness. Eleanor plans to converse with various authors about their inspirations, creative processes, and challenges, also seeking book recommendations from lesser-known authors. The podcast aims to bring joy to readers and writers alike, offering deeper insights into the l...