Author Q&A: Gemma Walker

The Judge, the Jailer and the Thief is out now!

Jan 22, 2025

Today we’re doing an author interview with Gemma Walker, indie author and playwright. Her debut novel, an adult heist thriller was released in December 2024.

The Judge, the Jailer and the Thief has
💰 a heist
💰 strong female characters
💰 revenge
💰 self-acceptance
💰 intrigue
💰 lesbian lead
💰 redemption
💰 second chances
💰 organised crime

The Judge, the Jailer and the Thief is a fast-paced, emotionally fuelled heist thriller with strong female characters and a lesbian lead. Alex is just out of prison and she has a plan for a heist. There's a secret vault in the most prestigious building in the city and she knows how to crack it, but it must be now. She has to rebuild relationships she lost whilst being chased by a disgraced cop, a man who has his own agenda as he avoids the scrutiny being raised over a case he ran twenty years ago. The barrister from the case is now an ambitious high court judge who tries to side-step the same scrutiny as she supports her long-term girlfriend, the architect of the prestigious building who is about to host the 20th anniversary celebration of its opening. All three will cross paths, uncover hidden truths about what happened and discover if any of it will impact the outcome of Alex's carefully crafted, meticulous heist.

Thank you to Gemma for taking the time to do this interview with us!

When did you first come up with the idea for The Judge, the Jailer and the Thief?

I came up with the idea about 3 years ago. I love fast-paced crime thrillers, especially heists and I really wanted to see this kind of story come to life and fill it with strong, dynamic female characters, and also centre the story around a lesbian lead. I knew the beginning of the story straight away as well as the twists that happen at the end so I wrote those chapters first and then just had to fill in the bits in the middle! Being a lesbian myself I'm very interested in seeing representation in stories that aren't just about sexuality or romance. My favourite types of stories are those that have gripping, exciting plots that just so happen to have a lesbian as the main character.

That sounds like a pretty interesting way to start a project! I’m glad it worked out, and definitely agree that we need more LGBTQIA+ characters just existing in plots that don’t revolve around identity!!

Do you have a favourite line you’d like to share?

Well, this comes within the twist at the end so I don't want to say! Everything comes together and in chapter 22 all the story threads pull together as it unravels in spectacular style! It's a true mic drop moment. If I'm honest I was a little paranoid when writing and editing that it was completely obvious all the way through but no one who has read it that I've spoken to so far has guessed so I'm happy with that.

We love a good “everything comes together, mic-drop” moment!

Who would you recommend your books to?

Any reader over the age of 16 who loves heists and intrigue.

Do you know what your next project will be?

There's a sequel to Judge, Jailer, Thief. There are even a couple of prequels for some of the characters. There is definitely more to them and a lot of history that could be explored. I also have an idea for a completely different story as well. It's about a contract killer who goes to a sleepy English coastal town to complete a job where she decides to give it all up and attempt a 'normal' life. I'm not sure which one I'll start next but I'm excited for both!

Ooh, that contract killer idea sounds pretty exciting, we’ll have to keep an eye out for when that comes! It sounds like you’ve got a lot of ideas to keep you busy too!

Have you always wanted to be an author? What inspired you to start?

I'm a very creative person and over the years have had a lot of ideas come to me. I've always written stories but never really done anything with them. I wrote a book 20 years ago and it didn't get picked up so I always thought I'd self-publish when that became a thing but I got in my own way. I finally did it last year and I'm so proud of it.

We’re proud of you too, it’s a pretty big accomplishment, especially when you’re chasing your dreams and doing something you love!

How long have you been writing?

Since secondary school, in one form or another. I wrote many short stories in my 20s and have had a book on the go since my late 20s. The story changed quite a few times over the years before I settled on this one and actually finished it.

How much does your own life influence your work?

Quite a lot. Obviously, I'm not a thief or anything like that, however all of the emotion I like to put into my work comes from me. I've always used writing as an outlet for whatever I'm feeling, especially when it's so high I don't know what to do with it. So, it'll then generally go into an emotional exchange I have in the story I'm writing. It can be quite cathartic. My play, Sad Eyes on Happy Faces is a prime example of this.

Writing (and other creative tasks) can be an great emotional outlet! And channeling your own high emotions and feelings into your work can really draw out the on-page emotions and add a lot to them.

What made you decide to self-publish?

Because I didn't have a great experience with publishers during my 20s. It was a long time ago though but I didn't even look for a publisher this time. Just went straight to self-publish.

Sorry to hear your experience wasn’t great, but glad to hear you found a way to make it work for you!

Who was your biggest influence as an author?

Hm. I do love a good John Grisham novel if I'm honest, and of course Sarah Waters. I'll never forget how I felt when I read the twist in Affinity. That one got me! So good. Such a sucker for a great twist!

If you could recommend one book aside from your own, what would it be?

One of my favourite books is Deception Point by Dan Brown. I've read it a few times and really enjoy it.

What is some advice you would give to other writers? Is there anything you wish someone had told you?

Just write your story. It's taken me a while to write this one and it's a goal I've had for as long as I can remember. There may always be self-doubt but you can overcome it. It comes from a place of fear of putting yourself out there which always happens when doing something new. Just know that if you didn't have it within you to do it, you wouldn't have so much doubt trying to stop you. You do have the skill and talent so just do it. Cross every bridge when you come to it and deal with it then; don't imagine them beforehand and allow that to stop you before you've started.

That’s some excellent advice! Aspiring authors, I hope you’re taking notes!!

Anything else you would like to add?

Please keep your eyes out for a sequel and if you do give my book a go, do get in touch and let me know your thoughts! A review on Amazon and Goodreads is always appreciated to help indie authors, too. Thank you!

Thanks so much to Gemma for joining us today, and for answering our questions! It’s been great to have you here and learn more about your books!

About the Author

Gemma Walker is an author and playwright from the West Midlands, England. The Judge, the Jailer and the Thief is her first novel, and Sad Eyes on Happy Faces is her first play. She writes fast-paced, emotionally fuelled, character driven stories that revolve around strong female characters and the situations they find themselves in. Her main character is always a lesbian, as she is an advocate for representation in stories that aren't just about sexuality. She wishes to publish exciting, thought-provoking page-turners that captivate and keep the reader hooked in genres that have typically been male based.

As well as writing she enjoys drawing and painting, trips away by the beach, tai-chi, yoga, dancing, visiting and exploring castles and learning about Plantagenet and Tudor history.

Quiet Writers

Discussion about this post