Member Article

Briefs encounter: Author LJ Ross’ surprise Christmas present

Crime thriller writer LJ Ross was shocked to open a parcel from a fan, to find a pair of specially-made DCI Ryan knickers.

LJ writes the DCI Ryan series, which follows the brooding detective as he hunts serial killerswho are stalking their victims amid some of the North East’s most stunning landmarks and landscapes.

After launching her debut novel, Holy Island in January 2015, she has also released Sycamore Gap, Heavenfield and Angel, as well as having just published High Force on pre-release for January 31. LJ quickly found that fans thought DCI Ryan was something of a sex symbol.

But, the regulatory lawyer turned author said she certainly didn’t expect to receive a Christmas present of knickers from a fan.

The fan, who chose to remain anonymous, wrote to LJ to say how much she enjoyed her books. The reader also said that DCI Ryan was her favourite detective, adding that she had enclosed a novelty present and hoped that LJ would set up a DCI Ryan fan club one day.

Inside the package was a pair of white knickers, emblazoned with “I heart DCI Ryan” across the posterior.

LJ, 31, said: “I was absolutely flabbergasted and thought it was hilarious when I opened the parcel.I thought it was only hunky pop stars who were sent knickers through the post.

“I don’t think I’ll be wearing them, but it’s very flattering to think that someone is such a fan of DCI Ryan that they have gone to the trouble of having these pants especially made.

“DCI Ryan can be grumpy, sarcastic and complex, but he’s also tall, dark, handsome, brooding and rather intense, which has clearly gone down well with some fans. It’s amazing what our imaginations can do with text on a page!”

LJ’s latest fan letter comes after she was inundated by messages and social media posts from fans following comments from Northern Powerhouse minister Andrew Percy.

Mr Percy urged television makers to consider making a “Poldark for the North” to showcase the region to the wider world. LJ fans then wrote to her to say they would like to see DCI Ryan turned into a series for the small screen.

The books feature Holy Island, Bamburgh, Hadrian’s Wall country, the city of Durham and the Angel of the North, as well as High Force waterfall in the Durham Dales.

Speculation also began about who should play DCI Ryan, with fans suggesting everyone from Superman’s Henry Cavill to Spooks star Matthew MacFadyn. Other names put forward included Sean Bean, Daniel Craig, Jude Law and Robson Green, while Hartlepool actor Kieran Bew was another suggestion.

However, it was Richard Armitage, who played Lucas North in Spooks, who was the stand out favourite for DCI Ryan readers.

Mother-of-one LJ gave up her high-pressured job as a regulatory lawyer in the City to write. Her debut novel, Holy Island, knocked The Girl on the Train off the top spot in the Amazon charts.

Originally from Ponteland in the North East, LJ worked in London as a lawyer, and now lives in Bath with her husband James and their three-year-old son Ethan.

She turned down a traditional publishing deal to self publish and has now sold more than half a million copies of her first four novels.

LJ Ross’s latest novel High Force shot straight into the Amazon kindle top ten within hours with fans buying it on pre-release. High Force will be available on January 31.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Fiona Brook .