It's been quite a journey!
Singapore
My father was born in Jamaica and moved to England to join the Royal Air Force during the war. When I was fifteen, he was posted to Singapore, where we lived until I turned eighteen. Those years were thrilling and instilled in me a strong sense of adventure, as well as a deep camaraderie with my school friends.
I took this photo in Little India, Singapore.
Liverpool
Liverpool played a significant role in shaping my development. I studied at the city’s Art College—the same one John Lennon attended—and right next to the school Paul McCartney and George Harrison once went to. It was during this time that I became a devoted supporter of Liverpool FC. Back then, the city had a tough, gritty vibe and was facing economic challenges.
Today, I’m thrilled to see how Liverpool has transformed, with highlights like the revitalized Albert Dock (pictured), now a bustling tourist destination. The city has also left its mark on my writing, appearing in scenes from two of my books: Stuck 1855: Lucy Travels East and Stuck Between Two Lives.
The Design World
After graduating from Art College, my career took two closely connected paths. I spent over twenty years teaching Printed Textile Design at various colleges and universities, culminating in a long tenure at Loughborough University. At the same time, I worked as a freelance designer alongside my wife. Together, we sold fashion fabric and gift wrap designs to industry through a studio in New York.
It’s amusing to think that countless Americans wore Hawaiian shirts, completely unaware they were designed in a quaint English village!
Family
Family is at the heart of who I am, and it has profoundly influenced my writing. My journey as a writer began in a small Rutland village where we once lived. I was asked to adapt a pantomime for the residents, including two of my children. However, I wasn’t thrilled with the original material, so I decided to start from scratch. It was a great success, and from that moment on, I was hooked on writing. My books reflect my values—they’re family-friendly, with no sex, violence, or swearing. Now we live close to two of our daughters and a long way from the other - she lives in Australia!
Uppingham
In 2010, we moved from a Rutland village to Uppingham—one of only two towns in the county—and we couldn’t be happier here. Rutland, the smallest county in the UK, boasts a population of just 41,000. We live right on the High Street in Uppingham, a charming, friendly town rich in history.
The town’s character and setting have been a major inspiration for my new series of murder mystery books.