Lis Angus

I’ve always loved stories. I was a big reader as a child, and writing stories felt like a natural outflow of that. By the time I was six, I was writing little tales at the kitchen table while my mom made supper. I even spent one summer, when I was nine, trying to write a novel in my cousin’s hayloft.

In my adult life, I did a lot of writing too—reports, policy papers, newsletters, business articles—but none of it was fiction. Still, the desire to write stories never really left me. When I retired, I decided it was time to finally challenge myself and return to fiction writing. That led to my first novel, which was published in 2022, and I’ve carried on from there. That Other Family is my second novel, and I’m already working on a third.

There are many authors I admire, but three whose work currently resonates with me are Lisa Jewell, Liz Moore, and Shari Lapena. I especially enjoyed The Family Upstairs and The Invisible Girl by Jewell; her books combine layered family dynamics with unexpected twists that keep you turning the pages. Liz Moore’s Long Bright River and God of the Woods are powerful and beautifully written, with emotionally complex characters and a strong sense of place. And I always appreciate Shari Lapena’s tightly plotted suspense—The Couple Next Door and What Have You Done? are fast-paced and psychologically rich, exploring how ordinary people deal with extraordinary pressure.
What I love in all these books are the characters—flawed, relatable, and trying to hold their lives together as secrets unravel and circumstances force them to confront uncomfortable truths. That’s the kind of story I’m drawn to write as well.

If you enjoy suspenseful stories about ordinary people whose lives are upended by unexpected threats, you’ll probably enjoy my books. I write the kind of story I like to read—where the tension builds and secrets slowly come to light, and where characters have to figure out how to cope when their world is suddenly turned upside down.

I also like to tell the story through multiple points of view. That means readers sometimes get glimpses of what other characters—including the antagonist—are thinking or planning. It adds a layer of tension, because readers may see danger looming even when the main character doesn’t. My goal is always to keep you turning the pages.

That’s a tough question, because I write from multiple points of view and try to fully inhabit each of my main characters—so choosing a favorite feels a bit like playing favorites with your own family. That said, in That Other Family, the character readers will spend the most time with is Julie Walker, and I did feel especially close to her.
The idea for the novel began with an image: a woman being told a shocking secret about her family—something she doesn’t want to believe. From there, Julie took shape. I imagined a woman who believed her family was solid and ordinary. She’s proud of her work as a librarian, fiercely loyal to her teenage children and her husband, and protective of her aging mother. What I love about Julie is her quiet strength. She’s hit with revelations that upend her world, but she doesn’t fall apart. She’s determined, resourceful, and resilient—and in the end, she learns she doesn’t have to face everything alone.

I definitely intend to keep writing suspense novels. I’m already working on a third—another character-driven story with emotional stakes, secrets, and mounting tension. This one features a young single mother who’s overcome past adversity and learned to rely on her own strength. Now she’s facing new circumstances that threaten the peaceful life she’s built for herself and her teenage daughter.

Beyond that, I have more ideas waiting their turn. One involves a young widow who uncovers unexpected secrets about her late husband. Another explores the ripple effects in a neighborhood when a child goes missing. I’m letting those ideas simmer for now, but I’m looking forward to seeing where they lead. My goal is always to write stories where ordinary people face extraordinary situations—and find out what they’re truly capable of.