Getting to know... Roshan Pitteea

In the latest instalment of Bdaily’s Getting to know... feature, which looks at the person behind the business profile, Bradfordian crime fiction author Roshan Pitteea talks about his passion for writing, using his experience as a police officer to inform his work and his soft spot for shark films.

We know you as a crime fiction author, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little about what makes you tick…

I’m someone who’s endlessly curious about people and what drives them.

In my role as a police officer, I’ve seen first-hand the complexities of human behaviour, the pressures people face and the darker realities that exist beneath the surface of everyday life, all of which naturally feed into my writing. 

I’ve always been fascinated by psychology, relationships and the darker side of human behaviour.

Outside of books, I’m very family-oriented and enjoy connecting with readers and other creatives. 

Storytelling really makes me tick – whether that’s through writing, film, conversation or simply observing the world around me.

Did you always want to be a writer?

Storytelling has always been part of my life. 

I grew up loving crime fiction, thrillers and films that created tension and atmosphere. 

Over time, writing became something I wanted to challenge myself with creatively.

Once I started, I realised how much I enjoyed building characters and worlds. 

It quickly became something I couldn’t imagine not doing.

What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst?

The best part is knowing readers are genuinely invested in the stories and characters you’ve created. 

There’s nothing better than hearing someone stayed up late because they ‘needed to know what happened next’.

I also love the freedom and creativity that comes with writing.

The worst part is probably the self-doubt. 

Writing can be quite solitary, and there are always moments where you question whether something is working and whether you’re doing the story justice. 

But that’s part of being creative, and you learn to push through it.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

Publishing books and continuing to grow as a writer is something I’m incredibly proud of, because so much work goes into every story. 

Alongside my writing career, becoming an accredited detective through my work as a police officer is also a huge personal achievement and something I’ve worked incredibly hard for. 

Personally, family will always be my greatest achievement and biggest motivation.

Balancing writing with everyday life and continuing to pursue something I’m passionate about is something I’m proud of too.

How do you relax outside of work?

When I’m not writing, I’m usually reading crime thrillers or watching crime dramas like Scott & Bailey. 

Fitness also plays a big part in my life, whether that’s running, weightlifting or Muay Thai. 

It’s a great way to switch off, clear my mind and it often helps me untangle those stubborn plot points.

What makes Yorkshire such a great place to live and work?

Yorkshire has such a strong sense of identity and character. 

There’s a warmth and authenticity to the people, alongside incredible landscapes, vibrant cities and a brilliant creative community. 

As a writer, it’s an inspiring place because there’s atmosphere everywhere you look.

There’s a particular grimness, desolation and urban decay that great cities such as Bradford have suffered following the decline of industry. 

It’s something that inspires my fictional city. 

I’m born and raised in Yorkshire, and absolutely believe we’re something worth celebrating.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know…

I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for shark films. 

There’s something about the tension, unpredictability and sheer escapism of them that I’ve always loved. 

My all-time favourite is Deep Blue Sea, which is one of the most underrated shark films ever made. 

It’s over-the-top in all the right ways, brilliantly tense and a film I can happily rewatch time and time again.

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