Rae Cairns is a former youth worker who has now turned her attention to a career in crime writing. She is drawn to the fascinating topic of how ordinary people cope with extraordinary circumstances, which she explores in her thriller and suspense novels. These stories delve into the lengths that everyday characters will go to when the people they love are at risk.
Cairns has a personal history that has greatly influenced her writing. She has worked as a youth worker in Northern Ireland during the final years of the Troubles, where she mentored disadvantaged youth, many of whom were children of paramilitaries. This experience has provided her with a unique insight into the complexities of human behavior and the motivations that drive people to act. Cairns has also co-managed a crisis refuge for street children and worked as Program Director for the Sydney Olympic Youth Camp. She holds a degree in Performing Arts and has worked as an actor, dancer, and singer in her travels around the world.
When she's not writing, Cairns enjoys a range of hobbies and pastimes. She loves to read, hike, travel, and go to the beach. She is also a singer and enjoys spending time with her family, including her pilot husband, two children, and their dog, Alfie. Cairns is known for her dislike of ironing and gardening, much to the relief of her plants. She currently resides in Sydney, Australia, where she continues to write and draw inspiration from her surroundings. Her debut novel, "The Good Mother," was shortlisted for Best Debut Crime Fiction in the 2021 Ned Kelly Awards, a testament to her talent and dedication to her craft.