Jo Spain

Jo Spain is the author of fourteen Irish and international bestsellers, translated into eighteen languages, and was nominated as Irish author of the year in 2024 alongside Sally Rooney, Colm Toibin and Donal O’Ryan. Her latest novel, Never to be Found, was the subject of a TV bidding war with the adaptation rights going to Amazon MGM and Angela Kang, showrunner of The Walking Dead.

Jo is a full-time, award-winning screenwriter. Along with her writing partner, David Logan she has written five seasons of Harry Wild, a series they show run and executive produce, starring Jane Seymour. Harry Wild is currently AMC/Acorn's biggest show in the U.S. and has sold in every single major TV territory in the world. Jo and David also co-wrote and exec produced 2024's The Boy That Never Was, an Irish/French/Moroccan co-production.

Jo solo wrote Mix Tape for Binge/Foxtel/BBC, staring Florence Hunt and Therese Palmer.

Jo and David have adapted Jo’s novel The Last to Disappear with Yellow Film and Newgrange Pictures, to air in late 2026.

What the critics say:

Jo Spain's vivid thriller explores the dark secrets from Ireland's past that continue to haunt Irish society today - Martin Sixsmith, author of Philomena

Takes the traditional "country house mystery" and gives it an Irish twist. Atmospheric and compelling -Sinéad Crowley, author of Can Anybody Help Me?

The best crime novels are arguably those which provide insight into how a society’s fabric is structured… With Our Blessing is a timely exploration of Ireland’s shameful recent past. Good ideas are like hens-teeth and the premise for the novel is razor-sharp…. The denouement is fiendishly clever, a climax in the old-fashioned Agatha Christie-esque sense… a big fat twist is lobbed into the ending like a hand grenade' – Claire Coughlan, Sunday Independent

Brilliant! Fast paced, well researched and sensitive. Jo Spain is a sparking new talent - Irish Examiner

An uncomfortable read that delves into [a] country's dark secrets - Irish Independent

Absolutely my comfort reading – Ann Cleeves, author of Vera & the Shetland series

In a very strong year for Irish crime-fiction debuts, Jo Spain's With Our Blessing is among the most assured . . . an old-fashioned harking back to Agatha Christie . . . The apparently cosy tone is only skin deep, however: With Our Blessing picks at the scabs of recent Irish history to reveal raw and gaping wounds - Declan Burke Irish Times

Dublin author, Jo Spain, has debuted with gusto... This is a novel of tension, suspense and stories...a page-turner, no doubt. The warmness of the characters made it an extra special read, with the added feeling of reading a modern Agatha Christie tipping it into one of the best crime thrillers I have read for a while. - Bleach House Library

Involving and intriguing– a really quite beautifully written, immediately immersive story that is completely gripping throughout...one of those novels that you devour, excellent pacing, unpredictable – Lizlovesbooks

One of those books that you won’t forget in a hurry. An excellent début novel, Jo Spain is one to watch - Betweenmylines

Spain's vivid thriller explores the dark secrets of Ireland's past that are a real-life situation haunting so many people within Irish society today - Irish Country Living

We’ve been spoiled for choice over the last few years with some excellent fiction from homegrown authors, and this debut from Jo Spain certainly deserves to take its place among the must-reads in the crime/thriller genre – Mayo library 2015 top picks

Reminiscent of Louise Penny’s The Beautiful Mystery…. stories from past and present mingling together like the twisted roots of an ancient tree…Jo Spain is definitely a name to watch for the future - Crimefictionlover

Superbly written… this fast-paced debut kept me guessing until the end. The characters make this shine above most in the genre. I loved it – Books Ireland

A book ripped straight from shocking headlines – Crimethrillerfella

‘An unexpected and shocking climax’ – The Times

‘Spain handles the inevitable tensions with aplomb’ – The Sunday Times

‘An enthralling read’ – Portobello Book Blog

‘The backstabbing, the pay-offs, the intrigue, the suspense….all here!’ – Swirl and Thread

‘Beneath The Surface has pushed its way into my Top Five novels of 2016, and I will be scanning the horizon for the first sight of the next Tom Reynolds story’ – The Postman Delivers

‘Competently written and tightly-woven thriller is a must-read for fans of political thrillers and Irish crime novels’ – Shotsmag

‘A 5-star stunning debut’ – Nudge magazine