PHOTO: Jonathan Cox, celebrated author and former Metropolitan Police officer, draws from his real-life experiences to craft best-selling police procedurals.
From Metropolitan Police Veteran To Best-Selling Novels
Jonathan Cox, acclaimed for his Nostrils series, reflects on blending realism with fiction, crafting flawed anti-heroes, and drawing upon his covert operations and personal experiences for gripping, authentic police procedurals.
Jonathan Cox, a distinguished and celebrated author, brings to life his unparalleled literary journey anchored in his extensive and authentic policing career. With his debut work, The Blue Trilogy, conceived immediately after his retirement from the Metropolitan Police in 2013, Cox quickly established himself as a monumental force in modern British crime fiction. Originally imagined as a three-book series, the resounding success of these novels inspired five additional instalments, expanding the series into a remarkable eight-book saga that has captivated readers across generations and professions alike.
At the heart of his literary prowess lies From Green to Blue, the first work in the series, which has claimed UK No.1 Best Seller status across an impressive array of Amazon categories, including General Fiction, Humour, and Police Procedurals. Cox’s deeply rooted experiences as an investigator of police and public sector corruption infuse his novels with a realism and authenticity that simply cannot be replicated. Perhaps this is why the Nostrils series, named after its flawed yet endearing protagonist PC Chris Pritchard, has resonated so profoundly within the law enforcement community, becoming a cult classic among serving and retired police officers.
Cox’s commitment to crafting grounded, multifaceted characters, like the anti-hero Pritchard, reflects his belief that humanity is an intricate weave of light and shade—a concept he masterfully explores across his series. Navigating themes of integrity, moral ambiguity, and camaraderie under high-pressure circumstances, Cox seamlessly blends gripping narratives with a nuanced exploration of the human condition.
Beyond the realism of his stories, Jonathan Cox’s extensive service in divisions ranging from murder squads and financial intelligence units to covert counter-terrorism operations offers an unmatched depth to his storytelling. His authentic portrayal of both the gritty and the often unseen complexities of police work sets his fiction apart in an increasingly crowded genre. His ability to channel his decades of high-stakes experience into riveting page-turners ensures that every book feels like a vivid account of life on the frontline.
Whether he is detailing the intricate dance of corruption investigations or exploring the emotional trials faced by those in the force, Cox balances his role as an unwavering custodian of truth with the demands of mesmerizing fiction. His success is a testament not just to his talent but to his passion for preserving and presenting the raw realities of policing. For anyone seeking a truly authentic voice in crime fiction, Jonathan Cox’s works are simply unmissable.
In this issue of Reader’s House, we are privileged to delve into the mind of the UK’s pre-eminent writer of police procedurals. Join us in celebrating Jonathan Cox—a storyteller of unrivalled authenticity and impact—and prepare to experience a captivating blend of gritty realism and poignant humanity.
A master storyteller, Cox blends authenticity with riveting narratives, offering unparalleled insights into the world of policing through his critically acclaimed novels.
What inspired you to write about police corruption in the 1980s Metropolitan Police, and how much of your personal experience influenced the storylines?
I spent over twenty years of my life investigating corruption in a variety of organisations, in the UK and abroad, so the topic is both my Mastermind specialist subject and my passion. For me, the particularly interesting aspect about 1980’s police corruption is the malpractice known as ‘noble cause corruption’, where the person undertaking the activity makes no personal gain, and they genuinely believe what they are doing is for the greater good of society. There is, however, an inseparable but fascinating link between noble cause of acquisitional corruption which From Green to Blue examines in some detail.
Your character Chris Pritchard is described as an anti-hero – what made you choose this complex characterisation rather than a more traditional heroic protagonist?
No one is perfect. We are all a mix of good and bad, light and dark. So, it was essential my protagonist reflected reality, someone many of us on some level can relate to. Besides, anti-heroes are far more complex, and I have always found them more captivating than their goody-goody counterparts. During the Nostrils Series (spoiler alert), PC Pritchard does some truly awful things, but there is always an underlying reason. I want to make the reader think, yes, I would have done that, too. Even when the activity itself is quite appalling. Very aptly a reviewer once wrote, ‘PC Pritchard is a character more flawed by events than his own nature’, which epitomises Nostrils precisely.
“The particularly interesting aspect about 1980’s police corruption is the malpractice known as ‘noble cause corruption.’” – Jonathan Cox
How did your experience in witness protection and covert operations shape the authenticity of your narratives?
My knowledge of the dark arts enabled me to write with accuracy and authenticity. I knew what was capable of being done and, more importantly, in what circumstances such activities would be authorised. In my time, I specialised in directed and intrusive surveillance, so these tactics appear sporadically throughout the series. I was, however, always conscious not to overstep the mark by exposing activities and capabilities that are not widely known. I was keen not to compromise any current or future proactive policing operations.
The relationship between PC Pritchard and WPC Dawn Matthews is quite central to the first book – was this based on any real-life mentorship you experienced?
Absolutely it was! My real mentor when I had just started on the force, was a WPC called Karen who was an outstanding police officer. I was an arrogant, ignorant, nineteen-year-old who’d inherited his father’s misogynistic and racist views. Quite understandably, therefore, she had little time for me. Unlike the main characters in From Green to Blue, however, our real relationship didn’t really improve. Thirty years later and after I’d published, I found Karen on social media, and we formed a friendship that has endured ever since. I know she would like me to point out that, unlike the fictitious Dawn, she never had a relationship with a married man!
“My knowledge of the dark arts enabled me to write with accuracy and authenticity without compromising proactive policing operations.” – Jonathan Cox
Given your extensive career investigating corruption, how challenging was it to balance the need for realism with the requirements of engaging fiction?
I made a promise to myself that I would write credibly and would always reflect accurate policing practice. All my plots therefore have a firm foothold in truth. I never found an issue balancing realism with engaging fiction for the simple reason that being a police officer was such an incredibly interesting job I didn’t have to make anything up. Indeed, ninety percent of From Green to Blue happened, maybe not to me, but certainly to others with whom I worked. Consequently, my books possess that vital ingredient of realism, so often missing from similar tales penned by those who, although far more accomplished writers, have never actually done the job.
“I made a promise to myself that I would write credibly and would always reflect accurate policing practice.” – Jonathan Cox
Your books have become particularly popular among serving and retired officers – what feedback from this audience has meant the most to you?
I am extremely lucky to regularly receive positive feedback from my readers, via published reviews, and also through private messaging on social media. When I receive a complimentary communication from a former colleague the memories of our times together come flooding back. Friendships forged in the heat of battle are always the strongest, and while we weren’t at war, sometimes when you are policing a busy city, it can feel that way. With that said, when a reader without any policing background writes that they have been thrilled to have had a police career vicariously through PC Pritchard, I get equally emotional.
What advice would you give to other retired police officers who are considering writing about their experiences in law enforcement?
Go for it! What have you got to lose? At the very least, you will have captured your memories for friends and family, and future generations, to read. At best, you might have penned a best-seller. Writing fiction is possibly more fun, because there is more freedom to ‘play’ with your storylines and sub-plots. It is also safer, as you shouldn’t end up in court. I would be happy to talk to anyone thinking about doing so, just send me an email or message. Personally, it is a thrilling experience to sit in front of a blank page and type the following nine characters ‘Chapter 1’. An experience only matched in excitement when one finds oneself, several months later, frantically writing the climax to the story into the early hours of the morning.
