Meet Kurt Eisler the author behind the State of Ash series.
Discover the influences, passions, and experiences that shape the dystopian crime thrillers from Kilo Echo Press.
From crisis to narrative
Working in emergency response environments profoundly shaped my perspective on institutions, crisis, and the crucial decisions made when events unfold rapidly. In those moments, information is often incomplete, choices must be made quickly, and the consequences often extend far beyond the immediate situation.
This perspective ignited my interest not just in the crisis itself, but in its aftermath—how societies reconstruct their narratives, how official explanations are formed, and how uncomfortable truths can become obscured by the need for stability. These very questions became the bedrock of State of Ash, which delves into the aftermath of catastrophe and explores the delicate balance between the story a nation tells itself and the truth buried beneath it.
The thrill of dystopian crime
I’ve always been drawn to narratives that explore the dynamics of power when public attention wanes. Classic works like Nineteen Eighty-Four first ignited my fascination with how institutions sculpt truth, while authors such as Martina Cole demonstrated how compelling crime stories can be when centred on flawed individuals navigating harsh realities.
Writing dystopian crime thrillers allows me to weave these influences together. I’m particularly interested in what happens when the systems we depend on begin to fracture, and in the individuals who start to sense that something is profoundly amiss. Outside of writing, I’m also a keen petrol head – the sort who happily passed Jeremy Clarkson’s unofficial test of a true enthusiast by owning an Alfa Romeo. That fascination with how things are built, how they are intended to function, and what occurs when they fail, probably explains a lot about the kinds of stories I ultimately choose to tell.
Life beyond the page
When I’m not immersed in writing, I spend a significant amount of time outdoors. I’m an avid hiker, and most of my miles are shared with my two spaniels—a springer and a cocker—both of whom live up to their reputation as true water dogs and will seek out a river or lake wherever we go.
I’m also a bit of a technology enthusiast, with a long-standing weakness for gadgets, photography, and capturing landscapes with a drone when the weather cooperates. When indoors, I’m just as happy disappearing into a good game, a bit of classic Doctor Who, or tinkering with tech.
More recently, I’ve also drawn inspiration from my professional background working in emergency response environments, where decisions are often made under pressure and the consequences are immediate and real. That perspective has shaped much of my interest in how institutions respond to crisis—an idea that runs through the State of Ash series.
More recently, I’ve been pulled into the world of horses thanks to my boyfriend, who owns several. It’s not a world I expected to find myself in, but like most things that involve animals and the outdoors, it’s quickly grown on me. Between hiking trails, cameras, technology, and a household that now includes dogs and horses, life outside writing is rarely quiet—which probably explains why I enjoy creating fictional worlds where things are even less so!
"The fragile line between the story a nation tells itself and the truth buried underneath it."
Kurt Eisler