On 22nd January 2026, Canelo will publish Better Off Dead, a new Liverpool-set crime fiction novel by local author Sean Watkin.
Sean was born and raised in Liverpool, studying at Liverpool John Moores University. He has been shortlisted for Fresher Writing Award, Book a Break Prize, Bristol Short Story Prize and the McDermid Debut Award and his writing has been featured in The Gay UK magazine, and The Content Wolf e-zine, as well as other LGBT+ publications. Sean has spoken at crime fiction festivals up and down the country and at more regional events in and around Liverpool. He lives in Liverpool with his partner and two dogs.
‘Sean Watkin brings Liverpool to life in all its rich dark colours’ – Val McDermid
BETTER OFF DEADThe emotional fallout from their last case has left DCI de Silva and DS Barclay’s lives in tatters and so, when the National Crime Agency takes over their investigation, the duo are reassigned to a cold case. A dismembered body found in Formby woods, hidden for decades. But then another body is discovered. As the two dig deeper into the identities of the victims, they both uncover a tangled web of awful crimes and learn that they can’t trust anyone even those closest to them…
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