Denise Fitzpatrick

As a born and bred Kiwi growing up in the South Island, Denise developed a passion for reading mysteries. She devoured Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books, before progressing to Agatha Christie’s whodunits.

Denise presenting at the Local Authors Book Fair during Hamilton Book Month

This obsession resulted in her writing mysteries from an early age. But it wasn’t until she retired from full-time business writing; her passion for creative writing was reignited.

The birth of Denise’s first novel was inspired by her travels around North America over many years. These adventures formed the basis for her September series. Books two and three feature the same main characters but are set in Tauranga, where murder and mayhem abound. Her detective, Ian Anderson, had a small part in these books, so when he asked for his own series, Denise immediately agreed. Her love for whodunits has come full circle in the D.I. Anderson series.

The “September” series books are set in Tauranga, where murder and mayhem abound.

Touch of Steel is Book three in this series. For Detective Inspector Ian Anderson, this case has never been more personal or heartbreaking. Josh is his baby and he is missing. He and his team launch a massive search, but the trail goes cold. Devastated by the loss of their baby, Ian and his wife Maryanne are plunged into a nightmare of fear and guilt. They blame themselves, and each other. Their marriage threatens to crumble as they become obsessed with finding Josh. But Josh is not the first baby to be abducted. Someone knows what is happening to these babies. Someone who will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.

Latest release

The Disorder

A family torn apart by secrets

Dana Fairburn once had the perfect life, or so she thought. But now, nothing seems right – her husband, Vernon, is slipping away – his moods unpredictable, his actions baffling. When he is diagnosed with a condition he refuses to accept, her world begins to unravel.

Then Dana disappears without a trace. Did she simply want to escape a life on the brink of disaster, or is something darker at play? When the police investigation stalls, the family hires a private investigator in a desperate attempt to find her.

Set in Winton, a small town in the depths of New Zealand’s beautiful South Island, The Disorder is a thrilling emotional journey through family secrets, mental illness and a mother’s desperate search for freedom.

Available early December 2025

If you enjoy gripping and emotional thrillers, Denise would love to hear from you.

Her books are available from Wheelers and can also be purchased through her website.