Jo Callaghan on Body of Lies | The Final Kat and Locke Thriller

Jo Callaghan, author of the acclaimed 'Kat and Locke' thriller series, reveals that her final book, *Body of Lies*, was not just a story about crime and AI but a deeply personal journey through grief. The novel, set over 18 months across four seasons, culminates in a high-stakes cyberattack and a murder in medieval stocks, forcing detective Kat Frank and her AI partner Locke to confront not only a killer but the emotional weight of their evolving bond. Callaghan shares that she only realized the true killer was wrong during her editor’s feedback—prompting a last-minute rewrite of the entire book in two weeks. The emotional climax of the series mirrors her own experience of losing her husband, with the acknowledgements becoming a cathartic farewell. Despite the series’ conclusion, she hints at a possible return if the right story emerges, but for now, she’s focused on a complex, non-crime, cross-genre novel that’s already haunting her. The episode closes with a passionate defense of the 'no dunking' biscuit philosophy, as Callaghan defends her love for thick, cheese-topped date plum and hazelnut biscuits—elegant, intentional, and utterly dunk-free. The conversation underscores how storytelling can be both a creative and therapeutic act. Callaghan’s process—constantly thinking about her books, using digital idea documents, and relying on reflection built into her work life—reveals the quiet discipline behind her prolific output.