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Emma Salisbury

Goodreads Author

Born

in Salford, The United Kingdom

Website

https://www.emmasalisbury.com

Twitter

emmasauthor

Genre

Crime, Thriller, Ebooks

Influences

Mark Billingham Ian Rankin, Denise Mina,Stuart MacBride,John Harvey
Ed ...more

Member Since

July 2014

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/emmasal

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Joffe Books Prize 2024 Finalist. I write gritty, crime fiction that focuses on the 'why'dunnit as well as the 'who'. I worked for a housing association supporting socially excluded men and ex-offenders, which provided me with a lot of inspiration. Fans of BBC series Happy Valley should try both my Coupland and Ashcroft detective series for their unflinching realism and pace.

ONE GOOD REASON, the first in my DS Ashcroft series, published by Bloodhound Books is out now!

Born and brought up in Manchester, I moved to Scotland 25 years ago. My inspiration initially came from working for a housing association supporting ex offenders into work.

Most evenings I can be found walking the family dogs on the beach near our home in East Lothian, Scotland ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

You have two series, one set in Salford and one in Edinburgh. How does the setting influence your writing? Do you have a different frame of mind when writing about one as compared to the other? Could a plot from one work as well in the other setting?

Emma Salisbury Hi there! Great questions, they really got me thinking about the process I use. I was born in Salford, so my earliest influences relating to accent, c…moreHi there! Great questions, they really got me thinking about the process I use. I was born in Salford, so my earliest influences relating to accent, culture, colloquialisms stem from there and I found when I first started writing that all my work had a particularly northern voice. Now I'd be really interested from your viewpoint here - how relevant is that voice? Do you think it encourages/discourages the reader? Maybe this is something I should explore further. Anyway, the 'rule' that you should write about what you know is spot on, and I could no more write about Downton Abbey type aristocrats than I could American GIs during WW2. I do believe that familiarity with the area and the people you are writing about, is vital. In terms of frame of mind, when I have my Salford hat on (which I'm wearing again now as I'm working on the third DS Coupland novel) I feel a raw, vital energy, Coupland is as honest as the day is long and his honesty gets him into trouble on a regular basis. He's a no nonsense guy, belt and braces without a political bone in his body. I often listen to James or Oasis tracks when I'm writing as in my view they convey much of the energy about the city. Also, I write this series in the third person, which enables me to tell the victims' story, which is important to me as I am very interested in why crimes were committed rather than just who.

When we moved to Scotland I felt that I didn't have the right to tackle a novel set here and I certainly didn't feel I knew enough about the everyday culture of folk in Edinburgh. Then I started working with socially excluded young men(ex-offenders) and everything changed. In the most part these men were trying so hard to rehabilitate but found the system worked against them. I could go on forever on this topic as it makes me so mad but suffice to say Davy Johnson was born. The Edinburgh he inhabits is as far removed from the shortbread tin image as you can get, but it's a real throbbing underbelly with its own values that provides a network for those forgotten by the mainstream. It's an angry series, fighting against daily injustices meted down from an establishment meant to care. The main characters are intrinsically moral, and provide much needed support for each other. I used to work for an Edinburgh housing association and the properties I visited provide much of the setting. It's written in the first person because this is very much Davy's view of the world around him and I wanted it to be visceral, with nothing held back. To stop scenes being too graphic Davy simply doesn't 'see' them. I'm not a football fan in any shape or form but I do like to play The Proclaimers, particularly Sunshine on Leith, to get me in the right mind frame. Ironically, when I'm writing this series I have a stronger need for justice than the Salford series.

With regard to your last question, without putting any spoilers in, the Edinburgh plots could probably transfer into the Salford series but I don't think Davy would be able to tackle the crimes in Salford. For example in Fragile Cord, the police are required to prepare a report to the coroner and he wouldn't be able to do that, and in relation to incident outside the wine bar and the shooting in A Place of Safety, I think it would more than likely have sparked a turf war...(less)

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Glad to see another DS Coupland is in the pipeline. Any idea at this stage when it will be released? I do notice you said that you are writing so I appreciate you may not have a date as yet. Thank you

Emma Salisbury Hi Joy, thanks for your question! You are correct, I am writing at the moment and really putting Coupland through his paces. The third novel in the DS…moreHi Joy, thanks for your question! You are correct, I am writing at the moment and really putting Coupland through his paces. The third novel in the DS Coupland series is due out in November. I'm really pleased you are enjoying the series. Regards, Emma(less)

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Emma Salisbury’s books

Average rating: 4.21 · 4,627 ratings · 248 reviews · 27 distinct works • Similar authors

	Fragile Cord (DS Coupland, #1) 3.87 avg rating — 2,020 ratings — published 2013 — 8 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
	One Bad Turn (DS Coupland, #3) 4.48 avg rating — 483 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
	A Place of Safety (DS Coupland, #2) 4.28 avg rating — 437 ratings — published 2014 — 7 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
	Absent (DS Coupland, #4) 4.45 avg rating — 314 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
	Flesh and Blood (DS Coupland, #5) 4.51 avg rating — 236 ratings — published 2019 — 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
	When Darkness Falls (DS Coupland, #7) 4.64 avg rating — 218 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
	Made To Be Broken (DS Coupland, #8) 4.66 avg rating — 182 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
	Sticks and Stones (DS Coupland, #6) 4.59 avg rating — 177 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
	Blood Sweat and Fears (DS Coupland #9) 4.79 avg rating — 151 ratings — 2 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
	Truth Lies Waiting (Davy Johnson, #1) 4.19 avg rating — 124 ratings — published 2014 — 2 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

More books by Emma Salisbury…

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Emma Salisbury's Blog

Do we judge a book by its cover?

I've pondered this question for a long time...like most indie authors I haven't had the resources (i.e. money!!!) to invest in professional book covers and hoped that readers would be intrigued enough by the blurb to want to purchase my books. It seems I was half right, readers are a savvy bunch and I'm pleased (and relieved!) to say that my humble efforts at cover design didn't put them off. Howe Read more of this blog post »

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Published on April 13, 2015 10:33

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Series by Emma Salisbury

DS Coupland (9 books)
by

Emma Salisbury (Goodreads Author)

4.20 avg rating — 4,269 ratings

Davy Johnson (2 books)
by

Emma Salisbury (Goodreads Author)

4.23 avg rating — 240 ratings

Emma is Currently Reading

Emma Salisbury is currently reading

A Summer House on Arran (Scottish Romances #3)

by Ellie Henderson

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jun 25, 2025 04:21AM

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Emma’s Recent Updates

Emma Salisbury rated a book it was amazing The School Gates by A.A. Chaudhuri (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
Phew! If you’ve ever had sleepless nights about playground politics this book is for you! Sharp characterisations of showy mums, control freaks, doormats and hangers on, oh, it was great knowing that this was compelling fiction and I hadn’t been tran ...more
Jul 14, 2025 01:23PM · like · see review
Emma Salisbury is currently reading A Summer House on Arran (Scottish Romances #3) by Ellie Henderson	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
Jun 25, 2025 04:21AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Summer House on Arran by Ellie Henderson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Summer House on Arran by Ellie Henderson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Emma Salisbury rated a book it was amazing A Summer of Secrets on Arran (Scottish Romances #5) by Ellie Henderson	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
I loved this. It has all the components of a satisfying romance and then some: Likeable characters that you can relate to, a beautiful backdrop of a setting and don't forget a secret that threatens to be told. Along with getting to know Rosie, Bella, ...more
Jun 24, 2025 10:10AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Summer of Secrets on Arran by Ellie Henderson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Summer of Secrets on Arran by Ellie Henderson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Emma Salisbury made a comment in the group Goodreads Librarians Group — A duplicate book entry topic " Hi there, My new book, ONE GOOD REASON, which is to be published on 13 June, appears twice on my book list. Are you able to delete one please? Many tha ...more "
May 15, 2025 02:06AM
Emma Salisbury rated a book it was amazing The Girl in the Van: A totally gripping psychological thriller that will keep you hooked by Helen Matthews (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
The opening hook drew me in immediately. What was the significance of campervan stowaway Miriana and how did she know so much about Laura? Laura teaches at the local school, yet instead of supporting her when tradgedy strikes, the community turns agai ...more
Jan 29, 2025 09:43AM · like · see review
Emma Salisbury rated a book it was amazing A Christmas Escape to Arran (Scottish Romances #2) by Ellie Henderson	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
Another great story I discovered this author by chance and devoured the first book in this series, A Summer Wedding in Arran. This book, featuring a different set of characters, is the next in the series and another winner. Fully rounded characters th ...more
Dec 30, 2024 05:43AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Christmas Escape to Arran by Ellie Henderson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Christmas Escape to Arran by Ellie Henderson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Emma Salisbury finished reading The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Free Yourself, Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness by Ichiro Kishimi	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
Jan 08, 2024 09:20AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Emma Salisbury finished reading The Doctor’s Kitchen: Supercharge your health with 100 delicious everyday recipes by Rupy Aujla (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
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Quotes by Emma Salisbury (?)

“He reached for the sugar pot, measured out three heaped spoonfuls, stirring slowly. He was grateful for this small task, this one thing he could do to take away the bitterness.”
― Emma Salisbury, A Place of Safety

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“fibre”
― Emma Salisbury, A Place of Safety

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“Charlie obviously liked her jewellery; both wrists displayed a collection of silver bangles that jingled as she walked, making her sound like a human wind chime.”
― Emma Salisbury, Fragile Cord

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