Carlisle-born M. W. Craven took up a probation officer role in Whitehaven in 1999. Seventeen years later, at the rank of assistant chief officer, he became a full-time author. The Puppet Show, the first in a two-book deal he signed with the Little, Brown imprint, Constable in 2017, was released this June. It has sold in numerous foreign territories and has been optioned for TV by Studio Lambert.

In this episode we chat about his publishing journey, Washington Poe and of course the much loved character of Tilly!

Mike's latest book, Dead Ground, is now available on Amazon or at all bookshops.