Even before Alex Clare’s second book had come out, it’s had a measure of success.

That’s because due to the author’s character raffle, it has already raised £120 for Colchester-based homeless charity Emmaus.

As reported on last year, the novelist organised the fundraising activity because of the themes of homelessness in her debut book.

“In the first book I pretty much described their model in one of the organisations,” she says, “and it’s a charity I’m really passionate about. I think it’s terrible anybody should be without a roof over their head in this day and age and I know the work Emmaus does in the town is so beneficial.

“I’ve picked two names, one male, and one female, to be in the book but I also had a bonus name from an anonymous donor who in their note asked whether I could use the name Henrietta for a character in memory of their mother and grandmother.

“I rather liked it, so it’s now going to be the name of a recurring character in the books.”

Alex burst on to the literary scene last year with her debut, He’s Gone, which introduced the world to D I Robyn Bailley, an interesting new take on detective fiction as she’s a police inspector who used to be a man.

The fascinating premise landed Alex a two-book deal with publishers Impress, with the follow-up, She’s Fallen, released last week.

This book starts with 19-year-old Shazia Johar who despite having everything to live for is found critically injured after plunging from a hotel balcony.

Was Shazia pushed or did she jump? That’s what DI Robyn Bailley must determine all while dealing with the continued criticism of her new identity from her ex-wife and her daughter.

Alex says: “When I started the books I always wanted the characters to have lives and families but not to have the classic cliched ones but to give it more depth.

“I think writing this book I was far more familiar with Robyn and her world and that made it easier to delve deeper into those relationships.”

As well as getting to know her characters more, Alex also made sure she kept on top of the ever changing world around them.

“The law is changing all the time on how society deals with transgender issues,” she adds. “Such as reforms to the Gender Recognition Act and the ability to self declare which means not having to go through the process of proving it.

“While I was writing this book I had to keep one eye on that to see what was going on because obviously it was crucial to may main character.”

Alex, who moved to Colchester 18 years ago, is now working on the next book as well as preparing to get involved in this month’s Essex Book Festival.

“I’m taking part in Essex Author’s Day,” she explains, “which is taking place at Chelmsford Library on March 17. I’m running a workshop and also reading extracts from my book, which I’m really looking forward to.”

She’s Fallen is out now in all good bookshops.