My son and me.
My Background
My name is Matt, and I’m a crime fiction author from West Sussex. I’m married to an incredible woman (Val, Charity Coach). I have three grown-up children and the joy of two grandchildren. My career started in the world of electronics and software engineering, where I spent a good twenty years. But life took an unexpected turn when my youngest, born with Down syndrome, inspired me to make a big change. Seeking to contribute more directly to society, I took a leap of faith, halved my salary, and joined the police. It was a shift from logic circuits to the heart of community service, but one I’ve never regretted. For the last 18 years, I have served both in Hampshire and Sussex as a regular police constable and special constable.
Music
Beyond the pen and the police badge, I find my escape in music. I’m a folk musician, playing a blend of Irish, Scottish, and English tunes and even dabbling in composing my own. From the Irish whistles to the ukulele and the EWI, my instruments are as diverse as my musical influences, which include folk icons like Cara Dillon and Kate Rusby to gospel bands like Casting Crowns. I’ve even lent my tunes to a few albums, bringing a slice of my musical world to others, including most recently on the Prayerscapes albums, playing whistles.
My Favourite Crime Authors
In the realm of written words, I’m drawn to the suspenseful and the mysterious. Authors like Cara Hunter, Elly Griffiths, C L Taylor, Lee Child, Greg Mosse, and Ian Rankin captivate me with their tales, while the fantastical worlds of C S Lewis, J R R Tolkien, and Frank Peretti have left their mark on my own storytelling. It’s a diverse collection of influences that shapes my crime fiction, blending the gritty with the ethereal.
My Learning
Every day’s a learning curve. I wasn’t born a writer; in fact, English was a tough nut for me to crack at school. But I’ve come a long way, learning the craft through trial and error, endless reading, and a handful of writing courses, including an eye-opening Crime Fiction Certificate course at West Dean College with Elly Griffiths and Lesley Thomson. Writing, publishing, marketing—it’s been a journey of continuous growth and discovery.
I decided to have a crack at being a crime fiction author during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. I had been reading a Cara Hunter novel featuring DI Adam Fawley, and I really enjoyed it. I thought I would like to use my police knowledge to write a police procedural novel. There was a lot to learn. Writing police procedures in a story can be very dry. I wanted to make it a compelling read, something I would want to read myself.
I hope this gives you a better glimpse into my life and passions. From the beat of the streets to the rhythm of folk tunes and the suspense of a good thriller, it’s been quite the adventure.
