Meet Lorraine McFarland: The New Voice in Thrillers Winning Over America

Lorraine McFarland—pen name Welz Bailey—has made a bold entrance into the literary world with her gripping debut thriller, The Pawn. At 52, Lorraine’s storytelling reflects a life rich in experiences, blending raw emotion and nail-biting suspense into a narrative that’s impossible to put down.

Lorraine has lived in Macosquin Coleraine for 23 years with her husband. Together for 34 years, they have raised two children: Zak, a 26-year-old electrician in Northern Ireland, and Ellie, a 24-year-old Clinical Specialist and Sales Representative living in Liverpool. The McFarlands moved from Belfast in 2001, seeking a village community where their children could grow up surrounded by nature.

For over a decade, Lorraine managed the local Macosquin Community Pre-school. Reflecting on her time there, she shares, “I was at Macosquin Community Pre-school for over 11 years, and teaching 3-4-year-olds the educational curriculum had its joys and challenges. My favourite part of the day was, of course, storytime.”

Storytime at the preschool not only engaged the children but also sparked Lorraine’s love for storytelling. “The staff always encouraged the children to join in with the different literary genres, to act out the characters and immerse themselves in the storyline. Each child was included, and every Friday we arranged a library book day. Seeing the quieter children become enthused about selecting their favourite book gave me absolute pleasure.”

A Turning Point

Life took an unexpected turn when family health issues prompted Lorraine to leave her role at the preschool. “When I left Macosquin Community Pre-school, I embarked on a job where I could work for myself. North West Home Services NI was formed, and I began gardening and cleaning for clients. My time was my own, dealing with everyday family obstacles as I pleased.”

It was during these solitary hours of work Lorraine began listening to a variety of podcasts, a habit that reawakened her creative side.

“From true crime to fictional thrillers, each podcast stimulated different interests I’d gathered throughout my life,” she recalls. One particular podcast changed everything. “As I listened, I thought, ‘Why didn’t the author incorporate more characters to add twists and turns?’ That was my Eureka moment.”

Crafting The Pawn

That realisation became the foundation of Lorraine’s debut novel. The story follows FBI Special Agent Clara Strong, a determined woman battling personal demons while trying to catch a serial killer. Partnered with seasoned profiler Adam Perez, Clara is pulled into a complex game of cat and mouse. Set in Butler, Alabama, the novel weaves a narrative as suspenseful as it is emotionally resonant.

“Being a mother, wife, and worker after a period of ill health inspired my protagonist,” Lorraine explains. “I wanted her to be relatable—facing her own battles while solving crimes. Writing in my early 50s became a personal challenge. I needed to push myself out of my comfort zone.”

For Lorraine, the writing process involved meticulous research into American law enforcement and countless late nights jotting down ideas.

“The title and my pseudonym took time to decide. My author name—Welz Bailey—combines my family’s first initials (William, Ellie, Lorraine, Zak) and Bailey, a beloved rehomed dog we lost a few years ago.”

To balance her writing with everyday life, Lorraine turned to voice memos for capturing ideas on the go.

“Sometimes, when I listen back, I think, ‘What on earth was that?’” she laughs. “My brain now works overtime. I write on a hand-me-down iPad from my daughter whenever I have ten minutes to myself.”

Her creativity also finds inspiration during walks with her rehomed dogs, Riggs and Bear.

Since Publication: International Acclaim and a Special Invitation

Since The Pawn was published, Lorraine has received glowing reviews from fellow crime writers, with many praising her richly detailed characters and tightly woven plots. The novel has also earned her a growing readership in America, where the small-town Alabama setting has struck a particular chord with readers.

Lorraine’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed. She was recently honoured with an extraordinary invitation for an all-expenses-paid trip to visit the city with a planned book signing, a gesture that has left her feeling deeply moved. “It’s a surreal moment,” Lorraine shares. “To have my work resonate so much that people from the city and state want to invite me to visit—it’s beyond anything I ever imagined.”

Overcoming Doubts

Lorraine admits that writing a novel felt like a distant dream at first. “I never attended university or studied literature, so accomplishing this has completely changed how I view myself. Believing in yourself and facing fears head-on is so important. If I feel challenged, I know I’ll come out stronger.”

Influenced by authors like Patricia Cornwell and inspired by criminal podcasts, Lorraine’s writing style has been compared to that of James Patterson. Early readers have praised The Pawn for its compelling twists and engaging characters. “Some readers have told me they haven’t picked up a book in years but, after reading The Pawn, they’ve been motivated to dive back into the world of books,” Lorraine says. “That means everything to me.”

What’s Next for Welz Bailey?

Lorraine is already working on Call Me Jacob, the sequel to The Pawn, and she is promising more gripping cases for Clara Strong. “I have my characters, plots, and twists written down in my son’s old school jotters. Clara Strong will continue to face complicated cases that don’t always turn out the way you expect.”

Her ultimate goal? To reignite a love for reading. “If I can get people turning the next page, trying to solve the mystery, then I’ve done my job.”

The Pawn by Welz Bailey is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. It’s also accessible in libraries across Northern Ireland, thanks to Lorraine’s donation to Libraries NI. So why not dive into this electrifying thriller and join Clara Strong on her quest for justice?