In my latest book, The Crochet Killer, the main character is a lesbian detective named Teddie McKay. I wanted to write this character for several reasons, and not just because all the lady police officers I know also like the ladies. I’m sure that’s just coincidence. Also, if you’re reading this, she’s totally not based on you. Honest.

Firstly, and most importantly, she came to me that way. There was never any doubt from the moment I pictured the opening chapter, with her diving into the pool on vacation in the Caribbean, that she was gay. It was just who she was, and that wasn’t a problem. It also wasn’t going to be a big deal.

In life, it shouldn’t be a big deal. So why should it be the one and only personality point of my character?

For most of the story, who she sleeps with is not a primary focus anyway. There is romance, but it is not the main theme or driver to the narrative. That would be the killing bits, obviously.

Other than times when a protagonist’s sexuality is front and centre to the narrative, it seemed to me like writers tended to default to straight. That’s not necessarily a problem, but a character being gay doesn’t have to make a point. The Crochet Killer isn’t a gruesome, terrifying thriller, designed to make you puke your guts up and unable to sleep at night. It’s for the kind of people who enjoy watching Castle, whilst having a secret hankering for seeing Beckett make out with a girl (again, if you’re reading this, you know who you are).

I suppose, what I am trying to say is that I wanted to write a lesbian detective because I wanted a regular, slightly mal-adjusted main character who just also happens to be gay. Will it narrow my audience? Probably. And if it does, then I’m okay with that. Because I would rather keep the character with the integrity she came with and the story she has to tell (and will continue to tell over the course of the series) than sell out by aiming for the safety of the middle ground.

That’s where everyone else is. I’d rather give a detective who isn’t white, straight and male a chance for once.

(Even though it’s set in Portland, Maine, for any British Kindle readers, you can find the UK edition here.)