Margot Douaihy: Punk Rock, Faith, and Crime Fiction (Divine Ruin)

In this episode of The Write Place Podcast, Wayne Kelly welcomes back award-winning author Margot Douaihy.

Margot first appeared on the show when her debut crime novel Scorched Grace introduced readers to Sister Holiday – a chain-smoking, tattooed nun with a punk past and a talent for solving crimes.

Now Margot returns to talk about the latest instalment in the series, Divine Ruin, and how the character – and the world around her – has evolved.

We talk about writing crime fiction that blends faith, punk rock, and noir sensibilities, the discipline required to build a successful series, and the emotional realities of sustaining a creative career.

Margot also reflects on the challenges writers face when success arrives suddenly, the pressure of expectations, and why returning to the page is always the only real answer.

In This Episode

• The origins and evolution of Sister Holiday
• Writing the latest novel, Divine Ruin
• Blending crime fiction with themes of faith, addiction, and redemption
• Building momentum after a breakout debut
• The realities of sustaining a writing career
• Margot’s darkest hour as a writer
• The book that saved her life

About Margot Douaihy

Margot Douaihy is the author of the Sister Holiday mystery series, including Scorched Grace, Blessed Water, and Divine Ruin.

Scorched Grace was widely acclaimed on release and was shortlisted for the LA Times Book Prize in the Mystery/Thriller category. Margot’s work has also been nominated for a number of other crime writing awards and praised for its distinctive blend of literary style, noir atmosphere, and dark humour.

Originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, Margot now lives in Massachusetts where she is an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Emerson College. Alongside her crime fiction, she has also published poetry and literary fiction.

Find Out More

Margot Douaihy Website: https://www.margotdouaihy.com

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