"Louise Candlish, the writer, attributes her career to that fateful summer of Aggie. She reveals the five books that significantly influenced her life."
In the August 2025 issue of woman&home magazine, Louise Candish, the celebrated author of psychological thrillers, graces its pages. Known as the "superstar of psychological thrillers," Candish has written at least 18 books, including the critically acclaimed and award-winning "Our House."
As a child, Candish's imagination was ignited by Ladybird's illustrated fairy tales, particularly "Rumpelstiltskin." An unusual sign of an infant's well-developed sense of justice was evident when she admitted to scratching out the faces of the villains in her "Rumpelstiltskin" book.
Candish's love for storytelling continued to grow, with Agatha Christie's novels, particularly those with glamorous settings, becoming a favourite. "Evil Under the Sun" with its classic ingredients held a special place in her heart.
The events in Candish's new book stir suspicion in Gwen, an older neighbour, who narrates the consequences with chilling wryness. The narrative, reminiscent of "Notes on a Scandal" meets "Indecent Proposal," offers a slow-burn thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Candish's admiration for George Orwell's "1984" is evident, having studied it for O level English Literature and incorporating Newspeak, a language from the book, into her daily life. She considers "1984" a classic that she rereads every few years, and at times, she's thought we're getting scarily close to it becoming reality.
John le Carré's "The Spy Who Came in from the Cold" is another source of inspiration for Candish, as the perfect psychological crime novel. The author credits her summer of reading Agatha Christie's novels with helping her become a writer.
Candish's current favourite writer is Tom Wolfe, finding exuberant style and a reminder of the 1980s and 90s in his work.
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Candish's new book is available now and can be found in bookstores or on her official website. Follow her on Instagram for updates on her latest works and more. More information about her books and career can be found on her website.
Candish's fondness for wellness and beauty is reflected in her writing, often weaving themes of self-care and personal growth within her psychological thrillers.
Readers searching for an engaging combination of home entertainment and literary delights might find solace in Candish's latest novel, available at bookstores or her official website.
In her quest for continuous learning and inspiration, Candish has recently delved into books on health and wellness, adding a new dimension to her already extensive collection.
