Crime Fiction Author

The Polly Hope Mysteries - stately homes, wartime adventures, and a dash of danger...

Friday Turner writes detective fiction set in the Second World War featuring detectives Polly Hope and Freddie Fairbank.

New Novel About the Author

Friday Turner - The Country House Murders

Novel

The Polly Hope Mysteries

New mystery novel to be published by Thomas and Mercer

Thomas & Mercer will be publishing my new mystery novel, the first book in The Polly Hope Mysteries, in autumn 2026.

Writing as Friday Turner, I have so enjoyed creating this series of detective novels set in the Second World War. Polly Hope, my heroine, is clever, sparky, and strong – and it has been both fascinating and moving to carry out research into the lives of women like Polly, who played such unusual and important roles in unimaginably difficult times.

The story begins in London during the Blitz, where Polly Hope is working as an Air Raid Warden. When she saves the life of the charming Freddie Fairbank, he asks her to help requisition a Somerset country house for the war effort. But when the lord of the manor is found dead, and the local police are too busy to investigate, Polly and Freddie find themselves in the role of unofficial detectives. Soon, old secrets and passions emerge as Polly and Freddie begin to investigate; and when another unexplained death takes place, they begin to follow a trail which leads to corruption and danger at the very highest level.

It’s already a great pleasure to be working with the editorial team at Thomas & Mercer, and a delight as always to work with my agent, Sarah Such at Sarah Such Literary Agency, who can be contacted with all enquiries about foreign translation and TV/film rights.
I’m looking forward so much to seeing The Polly Hope Mysteries out in the world!

Published by Thomas and Mercer, Autumn 2026

About The Author

Friday Turner

I grew up in a small village in northern Lancashire, and was educated at Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School and the University of Durham. I also studied at the London College of Printing, and worked at the Westerham Press, Faber & Faber, and Eel Pie Publishing.

As Heather Cooper, I write historical novels. Stealing Roses was published in 2019 by Allison and Busby. Stealing Roses and its sequel, A Shape in the Moonlight, have also been published in Germany by Goldmann. Arresting Beauty was published in 2023 by Beachy Books. I contributed to A Love Letter to Europe, published in 2019 by Coronet.

I now live on the Isle of Wight with my partner. I am fond of sea swimming (summer months only) and I do make really good marmalade.

Friday Turner is represented by Sarah Such at the Sarah Such Literary Agency