About Michael

Michael has always been an avid reader and began his journey into writing whilst still at primary school, creating adventure stories, emulating his then favourite author Enid Blyton.

In his teenage years he progressed towards writing thrillers with a strong focus on crime. Discovering the 87th Precinct books by Ed McBain was a turning point for his work and he began using his own experiences as a police officer as the foundation for his stories.

His plots became stronger as he advanced in his career, especially when he became a detective, and he first turned his hand towards writing a crime novel in the early 1980’s.

His first experience as a published author was in 1993 when Wharnecliffe Press offered him his first contract for a series of stories he wrote about himself growing up in his native Dearne Valley. ‘Legacy of our backings,’ and ‘No more kick-can and cobbles,’ although short-run publications, were a success.

He retired from South Yorkshire Police in 2006 and, alongside his painting, began to hone his craft as a writer.

The first draft of his crime fiction novel was completed in 2007. Eighteen months later, following several re-writes, he began submitting samples of his manuscript to publishing houses. After receiving a number of rejections he set about re-drafting the novel, introducing Detective Sergeant Hunter Kerr and his partner DC Grace Marshall. The format worked and in 2010 he was given a publishing contract.

‘Heart of the Demon,’ his first Hunter Kerr crime thriller, was released in October 2010. The follow up novel ‘COLD DEATH’ is to be published Summer 2012 by Caffeine Nights Publishing.

He is a member of the Crime Writers Association