Cara Hunter

Author

Cara Hunter is a British crime fiction author whose DI Adam Fawley series, set in Oxford, has become one of the most successful and innovative police procedural series of recent years. Her novels incorporate text messages, social media posts, news reports, and other documentary fragments alongside traditional narrative, creating an... immersive, modern reading experience. Hunter studied English at the University of Oxford and has lived in the city for over thirty years. Her deep knowledge of Oxford — not just the famous colleges but the real, lived-in city beyond the dreaming spires — gives her novels an authenticity that sets them apart from other Oxford-set crime fiction. Close to Home (2018) was her debut, introducing DI Adam Fawley, a thoughtful and dogged detective investigating a missing child in suburban Oxford. In the Dark, No Way Out, All the Rage, The Whole Truth, and Hope to Die continued the series, each tackling a different aspect of modern crime — from online harassment to cold cases to the pressures of social media. Hunter's innovation is to weave digital communication into the fabric of her narratives. Her novels include screenshots, text message exchanges, online forum posts, and news articles, reflecting how crime and investigation actually unfold in the modern world. This documentary approach adds immediacy and variety to her storytelling without sacrificing the character development and emotional depth that make the series compelling. She has also written as AJ Harper for a different audience. The audiobook editions of Hunter's novels are excellent, with narrators and productions that capture the multimedia feel of her storytelling. Her books and audiobooks are essential for police procedural fans who want their crime fiction modern, innovative, and set in a brilliantly realised Oxford. Read more Show less