A message from the author

Runaway Road is the story of Ezra and Evie. The book’s original title was I Once Was Lost, from the line in John Newton’s hymn, Amazing Grace. Grace, AKA second chances, or ‘cutting people some slack,’ as Evie puts it, is one of the themes at the heart of this book.

I’m often inspired by the stunning landscapes in the north-west of Ireland, and the ‘Wild Atlantic Way,’ so, when pondering ideas for my third novel, I wanted to set it in Derry and Donegal. This location allowed me to explore the issues facing Northern Ireland (and these islands) about borders and identity. Walking the beaches around Buncrana, the connection with John Newton’s transformation also resonated - his time in the slave trade, his near-death experience and conversion to Christianity, and his abolitionist work towards ending slavery. Being given a second chance allowed him to make a huge, positive difference. Do we give people today that space, that grace, to change? We may not always agree, but sometimes, with cancel-culture and tension between political extremes, it feels like we simplify, categorise and box people. Have we lost the power to listen? Does devaluing listening, risk devaluing people?

This novel, like Guard Your Heart and Truth Be Told, is set in the real, contemporary context of Northern Ireland. 2023. Post-Conflict. Post-Brexit. Post-Covid. It is however more social than political. It’s about belonging, finding family and friendship. Ezra and Evie have struggled all their lives to fit. In 2024 there were over 4000 children in the care system in Northern Ireland – often due to abuse and neglect. The legacy of ‘The Troubles’ means that some children here are vulnerable to gang or paramilitary influences. Also, in 2025, one in every 17 school-age children in Northern Ireland had an autism (ASD) diagnosis. With experience of neurodiversity in my own family, Evie’s voice somersaulted off the page with all her unique wonderfulness. Ezra required more research, with some deep insights from insiders in the Youth Justice and policing services. When people do wrong, do we give them a second chance?

Northern Ireland is a place of increasing diversity, and the legacy of Brexit has thrown up big questions. Ezra and Evie are broadly from the British identity in Northern Ireland. Whilst it’s not the key narrative of the novel, debate about the future relationships between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland is a hot topic (and likely to remain so). Unionist identities are part of that diversity. Ezra personifies a little of the tension and complexity of that within the current political context. It intrigues me that Belfast born C.S.Lewis, author of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2025), was left out of the Dictionary of Irish Literature (1996). Alannah’s mixed-race character also poses the question of how we define Irish, Northern Irish or British today. How inclusive are we?

Above all else, I hope you enjoy the story. That it makes you laugh, cry and smile. And that it makes you think.

— Sue

In autumn 2019, the British government (Westminster, London) intervened. It said that if local politicians couldn’t form a government to sort things out, it would impose Human Rights legislation to decriminalize abortion and move to legalize same-sex marriage. In October 2019, this happened. In January 2020, Northern Irish politicians eventually reached a ‘New Decade, New Approach’ deal and got back to work – just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. In June 2021, a ‘Troubles’ pension scheme finally opened, 23 years after the end of ‘the Troubles’. In July 2021, the British government announced plans to bring forward legislation to ban ‘Troubles-related’ prosecutions. People who suffered in ‘the Troubles’ may never get their day in court. Experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council have been very critical of this. So have victims’ groups.

During all of this, people in Northern Ireland just try to get on with everyday life – and much of life here is relatively ‘normal’ and peaceful. It’s a place of stunningly beautiful landscapes, vibrant culture and friendly people. Much of the past hate has been replaced with hope but we are still on a journey. Themes like truth, justice and forgiveness also apply to a much wider context than just within Northern Ireland.

When I wrote the author’s note in my first novel, Guard Your Heart, I said that I write for empathy – that fiction is a powerful tool for creating empathy and that empathy is a powerful tool for creating peace. I still believe that holds true. Listening to ‘other’ voices and walking in ‘other’ shoes broadens our mindsets. It helps us to see our shared humanity and to look at issues from different perspectives. Wherever you live, read diverse stories. Listen to diverse voices. Ask your own questions. Think.