Rachel ’Rakie’ Bennett lives in Douglas with her husband and two children, and works as a librarian at the Family Library, on Westmoreland Road.

Earlier this year she released her latest novel, ’The Flood’, a psychological thriller.

She is also a committee member of the Manx Litfest

What is your idea of a perfect meal?

Baked Camembert, macaroni cheese, a glass of red wine, ooh, and maybe a cheese board to finish? Can’t have too much cheese in a meal.

What is your favourite way to relax?

With a good book, definitely. I love to curl up and read anywhere.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Well, books don’t count as an extravagance, so I’ll say food. I can’t resist fresh baked bread.

Do you have any pets?

One oversized cat called Lebowski, who might be part mountain-lion.

What is your greatest achievement?

It’s been said before, but I’m so proud of my silly family. They put up with a LOT.

What is your favourite time of the year?

Autumn, when its starts getting cold and you’re justified in wearing enormous fluffy jumpers and drinking pumpkin spice lattes.

What is the first job you ever had?

It is very boring, but I had a paper round. I would get in trouble because I’d dawdle around the route reading the newspapers instead of delivering them.

Do you have any irrational fears?

Sloths, anteaters, garden centres, and werewolves. Fortunately these don’t affect my day-to-day life much. I also get agoraphobia, but only indoors (no, really).

What is your worst habit?

I eat the corners off sheets of paper.

What is your favourite book?

I can only pick one? I’d say the Gormenghast trilogy by Mervyn Peake, because it’s dark and gothic and so ugly-beautiful it makes me cry just thinking about it.

What is your favourite TV programme?

Great British Bake Off. The most wholesome show on TV.

What is your favourite band/artist at the moment?

Indie rockers Therapy?, who have been my favourite since I was 15 (I haven’t heard anyone better since then!)

What is your favourite part of the Isle of Man?

The curraghs in Ballaugh. They’re so gorgeous and haunting. I really want to set my next book there.

What is the last show/band that you saw live?

Embarrassingly, I can’t remember, but it’s probably the local bands at TT.

If time/money were no object, what would be your perfect day?

There’s a restaurant in Alton Towers that delivers your food and drinks to the table via rollercoaster. I’d hire the whole place and we could all stay there the whole day.

Choose three people, dead or alive, to invite to dinner?

Mary Berry, Prue Leigh, and Nicole Byers (from my favourite Netflix show, Nailed It). We’d go for bottomless prosecco brunch and end up tipping over bus shelters by teatime.

Which do you prefer:

Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings?

Lord of the Rings.

Cats or dogs?

Cats.

Birthday or Christmas? Oooh, Christmas.

Starter or pudding?

Two starters please, you can have my pudding.

Quiet night in or night out? Quiet night in with a book.