Kerikeri crime writer Catherine Lea now sets all her books firmly in the Far North.
Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf

First came Tartan Noir, then Outback Noir.

Now author Catherine Lea is helping to fuel the rise of Northland Noir with her series of crime thrillers set at the top of the country.

Catherine started out self-publishing on Amazon, with her first book The Candidate’s Daughter.

A move to the Far North has led to the creation of series that features Detective Inspector Nyree Bradshaw – a good cop struggling with her criminal son.

The series’ second book, Better Left Dead, has just been published by Bateman.

It sees Nyree investigate the death of a hoarder, with links to a group of foster kids who are haunted by their past.

Catherine appeared at the weekend’s Upsurge Bay of Islands Arts Festival to talk about what makes Northland Noir so appealing with other authors based in the region.

She shares her thoughts with Kathryn.