Canelo to publish Sean Watkin’s debut crime fiction series

Sean Watkin’s crime fiction series following DCI de Silva & DS Barclay, two detectives with burdens to bear, is being published by Canelo Crime! BLACK WATER RISING will be the first book in the series, and will explore how de Silva and Barcley navigate these burdens to work together in catching a serial killer of teenage girls operating across Merseyside. The series follows the duo through personal strife and gritty, compelling cases across Liverpool.

Sean Watkin was born and raised in Liverpool and studied a BA and MA in Creative Writing at Liverpool John Moores University. He has been shortlisted for Fresher Writing Award, Book a Break Prize and Bristol Short Story Prize. His writing has been featured in The Gay UK magazine, and The Content Wolf e-zine, as well as other LGBTQ+ publications. Sean lives in Liverpool with his partner and two dogs.

Canelo’s Executive Publisher, Louise Cullen says: ‘Finding a crime series set in Liverpool has been a long-held ambition for the Canelo team, and I am delighted we have found such a stunning series with Sean. He is a true talent and someone we’re looking forward to introducing readers to with BLACK WATER RISING.’

Sean Watkin says: ‘Working with the team at Canelo has been a dream! My aim with Black Water Rising was to create an authentic Liverpool voice in the crime space and to tell stories with complex characters and situations. Canelo has really understood what I’m trying to achieve, and I’m looking forward to developing this series with the team. I can’t thank Louise, Alicia, and Siân enough for their support and encouragement.’

BLACK WATER RISING will be published in April 2025, in mass market paperback and ebook, with the next two books to follow in 2026.