A nurse who spent years working in hospitals, including in Bolton, has taken the jump into the world of detective fiction. Sarah McDonald’s career included hospitals in Bolton , Essex, Manchester and her home town of Wigan before her eventual retirement in 2021. Now, she has drawn on her years of experience on the frontline to publish Justice the first of a series of novels starring Detective Inspector Thomas Marsden.
Sarah, 58, said: “Tommy, the protagonist of the books, is fundamentally flawed as he comes to terms with changes in his personal and professional life.” She added: “It’s this vulnerability that readers seem to find relatable.” Sarah will be following her novel up with further entries in the series (Image: Phil Taylor) DI Mesden is described as a traditional copper who sometimes finds himself at odds with the increasing bureaucracy of modern policing.
He also struggles to navigate the ever-changing landscape of political correctness in his own endearing way. DI Marsden made his debut in Justice , which was published in August 2024, and is being heralded as a “gripping read that keeps you guessing until the very end.” One reader paid tribute to Sarah’s unique writing style with the comment: “Bam! Before I knew it, I felt like I was actually inside the investigation with the team.
” Sarah credits this to the meticulous research methods she employs to inform her writing. Since retiring in 2021, Sarah has sent much of her time caring for her large and extremely loving family and travelling to sunnier climes with her husband of many years Ian. She is also working towards running a half marathon and is attempting to master the Spanish language.
But she regards the publication of her first novel as amongst her greatest achievements. On how she manages her time, Sarah said: “Some people are just naturally busy.” ALSO READ: Dad follows in the footsteps of his son - an international author ALSO READ: New novel One Love is novel Bolton author Matt Cain always wanted to write ALSO READ: 'My grandad loved to tell a story’ - Sara Cox on the joy of telling a good yarn Sarah’s long-time friend and colleague Marie Digner, also 58, said she was thrilled to see the first time author already earning such success.
She said: “She was always someone who got things done in a caring and professional way. “It’s great to see her going from strength to strength in her retirement, as she often did during her working life.” The second book in Sarah’s crime thriller series, Betrayal , is expected to be released at the end of the year, with a further book in development.
Sarah’s books are available on Amazon in paperback and eBook formats..
