Q&A: J.D. Pennington, Author of ‘The Othello Club’

We chat with author J.D. Pennington about The Othello Club, which follows six divorcees who seek revenge on their deceitful spouses, but someone starts taking it much too far…

Hi, John! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hi there! I’m from Liverpool, United Kingdom, which is probably most famous for being the birthplace of The Beatles. It’s a city that’s been through its share of tough times, but that’s helped it foster its incredible wealth of creativity, resourcefulness and bone dry humour. I studied art and design in Birmingham and moved to London to pursue a career in advertising, where I continue to work today. I now live in Hertfordshire with my wife, our two fabulous children and a mischievous Patterdale terrier.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I’ve always been a bookworm, grabbing hold of whatever I could find, sometimes wildly inappropriate for my age. Writing came later. Like most people, I’ve always had an innate sense of storytelling, but it wasn’t until my thirties that I learned how to channel it properly. Though I do work in advertising as a copywriter, so you could say I’ve been writing fiction and bending the truth for much longer!

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: I’m sure I tore through all the usual children’s classics: Roald Dahl, C. S. Lewis, and so on, but the first book that stuck with me was Dracula by Bram Stoker. Defintely not age-appropriate, but it blew me away! The first 100 pages is as propulsive as anything I’ve read.
• The one that made you want to become an author: The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris. It’s an absolute masterclass. The quintessential crime thriller, and the one that lit the spark in me.
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Surprisingly, as it’s not my genre, Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates. His characters are so beautifully crafted, flawed and tangibly human, and the story has a profoundly tragic weight that still haunts me. What makes it especially poignant is that Yates never lived to see the impact his work would eventually have.

Your debut novel, The Othello Club, is out October 14^th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Revenge will end in tears

What can readers expect?

Buckle up for an emotionally intense, twisty rollercoaster of a thriller that will mess with your head and linger in it long after you’ve feverishly turned the last page.

Where did the inspiration for The Othello Club come from?

The Othello Club was inspired by two family members, one from my side and one from my wife’s, who both endured acrimonious divorces caused by infidelity. Like anyone in that situation, they faced a crossroads: one road leading toward acceptance and forgiveness, the other to anger and revenge. One chose the healthier path to therapy, forgiveness and moving on, and is now happily remarried. The other became the inspiration for The Othello Club.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I loved writing the final chapters of this book. (not just because I was nearly done!) For me, a story only works if I know the ending hits as hard as the beginning, and this one really packs a punch. I was so excited racing through the book to get there, which kept the pace fast and the writing process thrilling. Hopefully, that energy carries over and gives readers the same rush.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Like any author juggling a full-time job and a family, finding the time, energy, and focus to write can be tough. Luckily, I was so passionate about this story that it gave me the drive I needed to keep going.

The Othello Club will be adapted by Paramount+! Can you share any insight into the upcoming limited series?

I’ve read all the scripts, and there are divergences from the book, which surprised even me. But that’s to be expected when adapting a book to a different medium like television. Readers will get one experience from the book, and a slightly different one from the show. I’m so excited to see it!!! The adaptation features an incredible ensemble cast, and it’s written by the brilliantly talented Gabbie Asher, who also adapted The Girlfriend for TV, now available on Amazon Prime.

What’s next for you?

I’m almost finished with a new thriller, which I’m really excited about. It’s inspired by a topic that’s very personal to me, though I can’t reveal much more just yet. I’ve also drafted an outline for a sequel to The Othello Club, which I hope to write next, depending on how the book and/or TV series do. On top of that, I’m also researching another new project that I’m eager to start, so it looks like I’ll be keeping myself out of mischief for a while. Writing about it instead!

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

So far, the standouts for me have been All The Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. Bizarrely, he lives the same town as me. (which makes me the second-best writer in town. Thanks, Chris!) An astonishingly accomplished and powerful novel. Believe by S.M. Govett is a brilliantly propulsive domestic thriller that hooked me from start to finish. Last, but in no way least, A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage by M.K. Oliver is one of the funniest and devilishly clever books I’ve read in ages. I was lucky enough to get a proof copy, but sadly, readers will have to wait until it’s published in early 2026.

Will you be picking up The Othello Club? Tell us in the comments below!