Dudu Zimba

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

Hi! I’m Dudu Zimba—a South African crime thriller author who’s equal parts obsessed with dissecting moral dilemmas and binge-watching true crime documentaries (don’t judge, it’s research). When I’m not plotting fictional murders or making my characters question their life choices, you’ll find me reading fantasy novels (my guilty pleasure) or hiking outdoors to escape the voices in my head the fictional ones, I swear. I’m also a caffeine-powered night owl and a firm believer that South African folklore deserves more thriller adaptations.

When and why did you start writing books?

I started writing after devouring Nancy Drew and realizing suspense was my jam. But adulthood hit, and I shelved it until life said, “Hey, why not traumatize fictional people instead?” Seriously though, I returned to writing because I craved stories that blend South Africa’s raw beauty with the darker corners of human nature. Crime thrillers became my therapy—minus the couch.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

Blame my characters—they wouldn’t shut up until I told their stories. But honestly, I wanted to explore the messy intersection of justice and human flaws, and traditional careers felt… too quiet. Plus, self-publishing let me boss myself around (note: 0/10 management skills). Turns out, being your own CEO means you can work in pajamas. Win-win.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

Tough call! But I’m weirdly attached to the monk in The Monk Who Fell in Love: Forbidden. He’s all brooding spirituality and repressed desire—like if Sherlock Holmes joined a monastery but kept side-eyeing romance novels. His internal battles between duty and chaos taught me that even saints have a dark side.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

The Monk Who Fell in Love: Forbidden almost broke me. Balancing a monk’s vows with a pulse-pounding romance? It’s like juggling lit dynamite while reciting poetry. Researching monastic life and South African spiritual traditions was eye-opening—and made me question my life choices. But hey, no pain, no New York Times bestseller list delusions, right?

Who is your favourite author and book?

Agatha Christie is my queen—And Then There Were None is a masterclass in “how to ruin everyone’s day with one island.” Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl also lives rent-free in my brain. But shoutout to Chinua Achebe’s, Things Fall Apart for teaching me how culture and conflict can break a reader’s heart.

What book are you reading right now?

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. It’s a psychological thriller that’s so twisty, I’ve side-eyed my houseplants for clues. Perfect for reminding me that everyone needs therapy—especially fictional characters.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

South Africa’s cultural tapestry, true crime podcasts, and people-watching at cafés (yes, I’m that person). Real-life moral gray areas—like “Would you steal to save someone?”—fuel my plots. Also, my brain’s a magpie for historical scandals and unsolved mysteries. Blame the true crime docs.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Reading thrillers, hiking to “find inspiration” and arguing with my characters mid-scene. I also dabble in competitive coffee drinking

Do you have any new books in the works?

Always! I’m drafting a crime thriller that mashes up historical intrigue with modern-day Johannesburg grit. Think dual timelines, a cold case involving apartheid-era secrets, and a detective who’s one bad coffee away from a meltdown. It’s like The Da Vinci Code meets True Detective—with a dash of South African spice.