'I sell crime novels - now I'm a character in one'

As the owner of a bookshop specialising in "whodunnits", Isla Coole is no stranger to the world of crime fiction.

Now, she is at the heart of a murder mystery story herself after she won a competition to have a character named after her in the latest book by bestselling author Janice Hallett, The Silent Appeal.

The 46-year-old opened her York shop, Criminally Good Books, on Colliergate in 2024.

"People have been excitedly waiting for this book, so I'm super chuffed to be in it," says Isla.

The opportunity came about when Isla attended the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate, where Hallett was a guest.

"There was a competition to get your name, or a loved one's name, featured in a future book of Janice's - where you had to guess how many boiled sweets are in this massive jar," says Isla.

"I know a lot about sweets and I guessed the closest and got a lovely message about a month later saying congratulations you've won, and we'll be in touch with you to let you know what book you'll be in."

In Hallett's previous book, The Appeal, readers followed two paralegals called Femi and Charlotte, who were tasked by their boss to go through the correspondence of an amateur dramatics society to try and figure out why their client confessed to a murder that they didn't commit.

The reader does not know who their client is until close to the end - or what it is they are supposed to have done.

The Silent Appeal revisits the group as they prepare to stage another production.

Megan Ponting, 37, who works for Criminally Good Books, says Isla's character is "quite significant to the plot".

"You always kind of hope that you would have a big role and so I was just really excited when I found out," adds Isla.

Hallett was originally a screenwriter, but began writing crime novels following a suggestion from her agent.

She now has an army of fans who love her unusual style.

"The books are not written like traditional novels, and you have to almost solve the puzzle along with the cast of characters," says Isla.

"It's really interesting, and an unusual way of writing and reading a book, because you're reading emails, text messages and posters - and even post-it notes."

Hallett, who will promote the book at Isla's shop on Wednesday, reveals Isla gave her free rein to get creative with her character.

"I was writing The Silent Appeal and asked Isla if she had any objection to being a 'bad' character, because I never know when I create a character whether they will end up committing a terrible crime or even being murdered themselves.

"The Isla Coole in The Silent Appeal is a Canadian stand-up comedian with a vital piece of the murder mystery puzzle."

Addressing her upcoming event, she adds: "It's the first time one of my characters has booked me for a public appearance!"

Isla believes the ongoing appeal of what is known as the "cosy crime" genre has played a big part in the success of her shop, which Hallett said was "famous" within the crime writers' community.

"People just love putting themselves in the position of the amateur detective to see if they can solve the mystery," she says.

"Some people like to be scared, some people like to solve a puzzle, some people like to learn about another place and time.

"For a lot of people, it's kind of an escape, but without being too out there."

There has also been a rise in interest in the horror genre, and Isla is currently refurbishing what will be her second store in the city centre, which opens in October.

"This one hopefully will be really successful. We announced that we were doing this like two weeks ago and we've had over 75,000 people just view the post saying we're opening up another shop.

"We're really grateful, and hopefully that's a good indication of how interested people are in specialist bookshops."

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