I was born in Liverpool in 1948. I had a strict Catholic upbringing, which, mixed with the humour of my native city, has proved a rich seam of human interest to explore in my fiction. I gave up religious practice while at university (St Catherine’s College, Oxford, where I read modern languages) though I retain a strong leaning towards Christianity.
My musical interests have kept a stronger hold over me. I have been active as a pianist since early childhood. I worked as a private piano teacher after taking early retirement from the civil service in 1999. I had been a civil servant for twenty-seven years, moving up through the ranks of what was then known as the administrative class, taking a special interest in international health relations. I now teach on a voluntary basis, leading a piano group of my local U3A (University of the third Age).
My retirement from the service also gave me time for writing. In 2010 I published with Book Guild Ltd 'No More Sea', a psychological mystery set in Cornwall, followed by 'Out of the Depths', a Catholic whodunnit set in my native Liverpool. Subsequently I signed a contract with Thames River Press for a series of novels under the umbrella title of 'the Furies Trilogy', exporing themse of guilt, revenge and the search for redemption. The first in the series, 'Place of a Skull', set partly in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, was published in June 2013 and nominated for the 2014 CWA Goldsboro Gold Dagger Award. The second, 'Sisters of Fury', was to have been published in 2014 but differences with Thames River Press led to the cancellation of the contract by mutual agreement.
'Sisters of Fury' was published by Book Guild Ltd in 2015. The following year saw the appearance of a sequel to 'Out of the Depths', 'the Eye of God', featuring the same priest detectives. This was followed by 'Evil River', about an Oxford bachelor don confronted by the mysterious death of one of his students, published by Book Guild Ltd (February 2020). March 2022 saw the publication, also by Book Guild Ltd, of 'Shadows of Fury,' a heavily revised version of 'No More Sea.' This novel completes the 'Furies Trilogy.'
26 July 2022 saw the publication of my first non-fiction book, 'Tickling the Ivories - a Piano Journey,' a musical autobiography. For details see the section on 'musical activities.'
I live in North London with my wife, Valerie, also a senior civil servant. I have two grown-up daughters by my first marriage.
Qualifications and membership of professional bodies:
MA (Oxon) Modern Languages
Licentiate of Guildhall School of Music and Drama (Pianoforte Performance)
University of Reading Postgraduate Diploma in Music Teaching in Professional Practice (Distinction)
Incorporated Society of Musicians (Fellow)
Society of Authors (Full Member)