492 ratings | 3 reviews | avg rating:3.18

James’s Year In Books

James’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at James’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

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James Dunlop

Goodreads Author

Born

The United Kingdom

Website

https://www.jamesdunlopcopywriting.com/

Genre

Thriller, Suspense, Mystery

Influences

PG Wodehouse, Mick Herron

Member Since

September 2012

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James Dunlop is the author of The Andrew MacKay Thrillers, a series that blends high-stakes espionage with dark British humour and reluctant heroism. Both Half Made Up and Plausible in Parts, have been praised for their sharp wit, breathless pacing, and the ability to find comedy in the chaos of international intrigue. When he isn’t throwing Andy MacKay into increasingly questionable situations, James can be found consuming too much coffee, researching morally suspect plot twists, and overthinking things that didn’t need thinking in the first place.

Reviews of Half Made Up (Book 1)

“This white-knuckle page-turner will seize you from the first page.” Readers' Favorite

“Gripping and entertaining ... sharp and witty.” Verbatik Media

“A blister ...more

2 posts
James Dunlop's Blog

How to Write a Book When You Don’t Think You’re a Writer

I didn’t start writing because I felt qualified. I started because a little voice inside me wouldn't shut up. You don’t need permission, talent, or a cabin in the woods. Just curiosity, stubbornness, and caffeine. Lower your standards, keep typing, and remember this. Spellcheck is your only true friend.

For more reflections on creative writing, how to write a novel, and the self-publishing journey Read more of this blog post »

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Published on October 21, 2025 06:05 • Tags: indie-authors, self-publishing, writing-a-book

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Combine Editions
James Dunlop’s books

Average rating: 4.9 · 403 ratings · 358 reviews · 2 distinct works • Similar authors

	Half Made Up (The Andrew MacKay Thrillers Book 1) 4.92 avg rating — 230 ratings — published 2025 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Plausible in Parts (The Andrew MacKay Thrillers Book 2) 4.86 avg rating — 173 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

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James’s Recent Updates

James Dunlop and 1 other person liked Drew Frohmann's review of Plausible in Parts (The Andrew MacKay Thrillers Book 2): "I'm reading this now, and really enjoying it. A proper page turner. Witty, dangerous, fast paced, sexy, and dare I say downright poignant in parts. I hope he writes a bunch of these. I'm working on a good description of the series. So far I have 'Lik" Read more of this review »
Apr 15, 2026 01:16PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Plausible in Parts by James Dunlop. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Plausible in Parts by James Dunlop <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
James Dunlop and 1 other person liked Elina Vaysbeyn's review of Plausible in Parts (The Andrew MacKay Thrillers Book 2): "Plausible in Parts is a thoughtful and engaging novel that stands out for its unique narrative structure and layered storytelling. From the beginning the book invites the reader to actively engage with its ideas creating an experience that feels both" Read more of this review »
Apr 15, 2026 01:15PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Plausible in Parts by James Dunlop. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Plausible in Parts by James Dunlop <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
James Dunlop liked Liberty's review of Half Made Up (The Andrew MacKay Thrillers Book 1): "I loved how the author weaves together stories and science to explain why we humanize everything from our pets to our cars. A great read!"
Apr 15, 2026 01:13PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Half Made Up by James Dunlop. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Half Made Up by James Dunlop <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
James Dunlop liked Susan's review of Half Made Up (The Andrew MacKay Thrillers Book 1): "I found James Dunlop’s book to be unexpected, cinematic, and a long-awaited new take on what it is to be a modern-day hero. Indeed, Andy MacKay is my new, favourite, reluctant good guy. Dunlop’s novel is unpredictable, gripping and hard to put down. " Read more of this review »
Apr 15, 2026 01:13PM · see review
James Dunlop has read The Lincoln Lawyer (The Lincoln Lawyer, #1; Harry Bosch Universe, #16) by Michael Connelly (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 20, 2026 05:30PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
James Dunlop has read The Client by John Grisham (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 20, 2026 05:30PM · like
James Dunlop has read Killing Floor (Jack Reacher, #1) by Lee Child (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 20, 2026 05:29PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Killing Floor by Lee Child. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Killing Floor by Lee Child <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
James Dunlop has read Patriot Games (Jack Ryan, #1) by Tom Clancy	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 20, 2026 05:29PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Patriot Games by Tom Clancy. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Patriot Games by Tom Clancy <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
James Dunlop has read The Stand by Stephen King (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 20, 2026 05:28PM · like
James Dunlop has read Mystic River by Dennis Lehane (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Mar 20, 2026 05:28PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Mystic River by Dennis Lehane. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Mystic River by Dennis Lehane <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">