Norah Deay

Born into a classic Irish brood with four sisters and three brothers, I’m now mum to a terrific son and Nonie to my three grandchildren. My favourite holiday? Tonga. My role models? Ordinary folks with extraordinary stories. Scariest thing I've ever done? I don’t drive but I once did burnouts at a Speedway meet in New Zealand. Dogs reign supreme in my book, but horses, elephants, and whales share a dignified tie for second.

I compulsively follow rules…until an animal needs rescuing. That’s when I swap obedience for action, like the time I liberated a mistreated dog and found it a better home. If my house were on fire, I’d sprint back inside for my dog (and my laptop, because priorities) in my bare feet or inside out socks!

I’m an empath: I cry when others hurt, and I’ll tolerate a lot on my own behalf—just don’t mess with someone else, because I’ll don my armour and defend them without hesitation. I don’t hold grudges, preferring to air everything out, and laughter is my go-to remedy for pretty much any crisis. Small gatherings are my sweet spot—six people is stretching it and my ADHD brain is bursting with plots, characters, and hare-brained schemes, even if the actual writing part makes me break out in hives.

Oh, and I’m mad for moving house and country—my favourite country to live in is The Netherlands.

When I’m not lost in a thriller or a dystopian novel, I’m pottering in the garden, plotting my next great adventure, or imagining a New Orleans–style jazz funeral; because if you can’t exit with a little dancing, what’s the point?