An author who grew up in Saffron Walden is appearing at Hart's Books next week to discuss her latest psychological thriller.

Liv Matthews - who writes under the name L. V. Matthews - will visit the bookshop on Wednesday, September 20 for a talk with fellow crime writer Gytha Lodge.

Her novel Silent Waters, which will be published by Welbeck on Thursday, September 14, is described as a "gripping" psychological thriller exploring family bonds and dark pasts.

The story follows police diver Jen Harper, who at 5am one summer morning wakes to find herself submerged in the silt of a river with no memory of how she got there.

Forty-eight hours later, Jen is called to dive into the same river to search for missing woman Claudia Franklin.

For Jen this is no ordinary job - she and Claudia were childhood friends and their families were entangled for decades. But Jen hasn't seen Claudia for 12 years - or has she?

John Marrs, author of The Marriage Act, praised the novel, saying: "Brilliantly plotted, utterly compelling and where nothing is as it seems.

"Add to that some whip-smart dialogue and you have everything you could possibly want in a thriller."

To research the novel, Liv researched the world of police diving, even managing to interview one of the few female police divers. 

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She was interested in exploring the practicalities such as equipment and team dynamics, but also why someone would choose a job spending hours in the cold, murky water - which helped inform the novel.

Liv, who now lives in Winchester, is also the author of The Prank and The Twins - the latter of which was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick.

Before pursuing a career in writing, Liv worked in domestic and international sales for UK publishing houses.

The talk - entitled 'Thriller Night' - takes place at the King Street bookshop at 6.30pm. Gytha Lodge will also be discussing her novel A Killer in the Family.

Tickets for the event cost £5 and are available in store or over the phone 01799 524552.