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Fire RushWinner of the PEN Open Book Award and the Paul Torday Memorial Prize, and shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize, Jhalak Prize, and Author’s Club Best First Novel Award, Fire Rush is a blazing, original novel inspired by the author’s own life. Set amid the Jamaican diaspora in 1980s London, it is the first novel to explore the dub reggae underworld through a woman’s eyes. The story follows Yamaye, a young woman whose life is shaped by the liberating power of dub reggae, love, and loss. As she navigates the underground club scene, state violence, and personal tragedy, Yamaye embarks on a journey of transformation from London to Bristol and Jamaica. Crooks’ lyrical style and musicality bring the rhythms of Caribbean culture to life, exploring themes of identity, political awakening, and the search for home. Praised for its “sheer lyrical force” and “electric voice,” Fire Rush is a powerful achievement from a major new voice in contemporary fiction.
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Sky City(Forthcoming, August 2026)
A spellbinding portrait of 1990s London, Sky City follows Jaycee, a young woman who finds herself in a high-rise estate after years in a hostel for homeless women. Haunted by her past, Jaycee reconnects with Sol, her first love, and embarks on a journey with her friend Ella-G to Atlantic City in search of answers and healing. The novel explores loneliness, friendship, and redemption, set against the backdrop of urban landscapes and the vibrant music scene. This book is a lyrical, star-spangled narrative about connection, justice, and the courage to confront trauma. |
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The Ice MigrationLonglisted for the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction, The Ice Migration draws deeply on the author’s family history, weaving Caribbean folklore with themes of migration and identity. These interlinked stories follow a Jamaican family of mixed Indian and African heritage, tracing their journey from rural sugar plantations to London’s migrant communities. Through the voices of children, grandparents, lovers, and plantation owners, the collection explores survival, pain, and resilience across generations. Dreams, visions, and the supernatural connect past and present, illuminating the enduring impact of migration on those at the margins.
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Short Stories & Radio PlayJacqueline Crooks’ short stories have been shortlisted for the Wasafiri New Writing Prize and the BBC National Short Story Award. Her work appears in leading anthologies and magazines, including Virago, Granta, MsLexia, and The Woven Tale Press. Crooks’ stories are known for their experimental style, musicality, and focus on migration, Caribbean subcultures, and the realities of ordinary lives. She often performs her stories with music, drawing on the oral storytelling traditions of the Caribbean. Her radio play and broadcasts further showcase her commitment to diverse voices and innovative storytelling.
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Upcoming WorkJacqueline is currently developing a new book, supported by the Eccles Institute & Hay Festival Global Writer’s Award grant.
This project continues her exploration of Jamaican history, migration, identity, and the transformative power of storytelling. There will be further updates about this project throughout the year. |