Being an author is a wonderful job – I get to spend all day in my own made-up worlds – but I think my favourite thing about it is hearing from my readers.

I read my emails fairly regularly – if you’ve sent me an email, I will usually reply to it in a week or two – but I only get author letters sent to me from my publisher about once every three months.

Opening that bundle of post is basically AUTHOR CHRISTMAS for me (see how lucky I am? I get Christmas FIVE times a year, counting actual Christmas), and each time it happens I am more impressed than ever at how clever, thoughtful and talented you are. I know how much time you put into what you send me, and that’s why I take time to reply to each one of you. I also keep each one of your letters (there’s a big folder in my filing cabinet called FAN LETTERS).

Below is just a selection of my favourite things from this batch – from now on, I’ve decided to share a selection of your fan creations on this website, to thank you properly for what you sent me! Please note that I’ll never share your last names or addresses here – Detective Society policy is to keep the identities of its members secret!

I am so proud to have inspired you to write your own books, and to create your own detective societies. Please keep the letters coming! I never feel any less honoured and delighted to hear from you.