Carys Jones Blends Psychological Depth with Speculative Thriller Mastery
PHOTO: Carys Jones, acclaimed thriller author, at home in Shropshire, where inspiration for her gripping novels often begins.
Exploring Human Connection Through Suspense And Innovative Storytelling
Carys Jones crafts thrilling novels combining emotional insight with speculative elements, exploring relationships, secrets, and technology’s impact on privacy and identity in gripping, thought-provoking narratives.
Carys Jones is a writer of rare instinct and imagination, crafting thrillers that not only keep you turning the page but also linger in the mind long after the final sentence. Whether writing under her own name or as Carys Green, she excels at drawing readers into unsettling scenarios rooted in relatable human fears—lost privacy, fractured friendships, or hidden secrets buried beneath familiar facades.
Her latest novel, Always On My Mind, released by Harvill in February 2025, is a striking example of her speculative skill. By blending psychological suspense with a chilling technological premise—implants that allow a couple to hear each other’s thoughts—Jones examines love, control, and vulnerability in a way that feels as intimate as it is provocative.
Jones’s storytelling captivates with emotional depth, suspenseful plots, and a unique speculative twist that challenges readers’ perceptions.
Jones’s work has always been emotionally charged and cleverly constructed, from the eerie We Are All Liars to the gripping The List, inspired by her own walks through the Shropshire woods. With each book, she grows more daring, more insightful, and more assured in her voice.
At Mosaic Digest, we are proud to feature this compelling interview with Carys Jones, who continues to push the boundaries of modern thriller writing while remaining grounded in emotional truth.
“Always on My Mind was born from the feeling of losing my own mental space during lockdown.” – Carys Jones
Your forthcoming novel, Always On My Mind, explores a couple who can hear each other’s thoughts via implants. What inspired this speculative twist, and how did you balance the psychological and sci-fi elements in the narrative?
I first got the idea of Always on My Mind during lockdown from Covid. My husband went from being away from home all day for work, to suddenly working from home and being there all the time. I lost my own space. I also had my then two year old daughter to take care of. The only time I was truly alone was when I slept or I was in my own head. I started to consider how it would feel to lose that space, to lose my thoughts being my own. And from that kernel of an idea Always on My Mind was eventually born!
Balancing the sci-fi elements with the psychological in the story was definitely tricky. I didn’t want to overload the reader with the specifics of the chip, or the technology, the main focus was always on the character’s relationship and the unfolding drama. So there was some element of push and pull in the edits, ensuring I’d included enough detail but not too much.
We Are All Liars delves into the complexities of long-standing friendships and hidden secrets. What drew you to this theme, and how did you approach developing the intricate dynamics among the characters?
I knew I always wanted to write a thriller around a complicated friendship group. Once I figured out why the group was fractured, I was able to place them in a difficult setting (an isolated cabin during a snow storm) and really play around with their relationship and make it all as stressful for them as possible. It was a lot of fun to write.
In order for their dynamics to work I had to focus on their past, what linked them as friends in the first place, and then what ultimately pulled them apart.
Having authored both standalone novels and series, how does your writing process differ between crafting a self-contained story versus developing a multi-book arc?
The process tends to be the same; I plan all my books out in a similar way. Initially I start with a single sentence for the plot which I then flesh out in to chapter by chapter notes for myself. What’s nice with a series is that you are coming back to characters you know, sort of like catching up with an old friend. Whereas in a stand alone, the characters are new to me so I feel like I spend the first few chapters getting to know them and fully figuring them out.
As a thriller writer based in Shropshire, how does your environment influence your storytelling? Are there particular aspects of your locale that seep into your narratives?
One of my thrillers, The List, was based upon some local woodlands where I would walk my dog. I’d often spot scraps of paper, shopping lists, receipts, that people had dropped. And I started to consider how I’d feel if something had been deliberately placed for me to see. If someone knew my route for walking my dog, wanted to catch my attention this way.
Shropshire is a beautiful, evocative place to live. In She Had It Coming I based the country estate central to the plot on one of my favourite places; Attingham Park.
Your favourite authors include Megan Abbott, Amy Engel, and Taylor Jenkins Reid. How have their works influenced your writing style or thematic choices?
Megan Abbott has an incredible skill of saying so much with so little. Her writing is precise and amazingly effective. I first read Dare Me then went on to read her entire catalogue of work (The Turnout being my stand out favourite as its exceptional). When I read her books it inspires me to strive to be a better writer. I feel that way about all of my favourite writers; their work is a joy to read but also inspiration to be the best writer I can possibly be.
Reflecting on your career since your debut with First to Fall in 2010, what do you consider a defining moment or highlight that significantly impacted your journey as an author?
When Always On My Mind came out it was in hardback and that felt like a moment for me. I started out in digital publishing, ebook only, and slowly made my way over to traditional publishing when I worked with Orion and it was wonderful to have paperbacks, but the dream was always a hardback. There’s just something so classic about them. It has been a long journey but it is always nice to look back and feel that I’ve progressed as a writer. With each new book I’m striving to do the best I possibly can and that’s always a fun challenge to face.
