When did you decide you wanted to write?

I have known I was going to write since childhood. But life, work and the demands of a growing family always came first. I didn’t stop thinking about it, though. The plot and characters for my first two books had been swirling around in my head, bursting to get out for over thirty years.

When did you start?

I tried several times during my working life to begin and produced some early drafts. But I never found the outcomes satisfactory. My job kept me away from the typewriter for months at a time, which meant it was difficult to achieve consistency, and I had to put it aside. Once I retired, though, there was no stopping me, and I am now fully committed.

Did you consider using a pseudonym?

No, I worked on covert operations, but my identity has been in the public domain for a long time, so there was no need. Anyway, I wanted the world (and my dear old mum) to know I was the author.

What do you write about?

I spent three decades as a police officer, twenty-seven of which were in the role of a detective, and enjoyed an interesting career. I received advice to write about what I know, so I turned to crime.

Where do you write?

I have an office at home (or the back bedroom as my wife likes to call it!). The room contains a desk, a computer, my book collection, and a tumble dryer. I go there every morning, close the door behind me and write. Airport departure lounges and cruise ships are not ideal places for creative endeavours. I must have the peace of my space and the comfort of my chair to write and, more importantly, think.

Are you a pantser or a plotter?

A resolute pantser. I begin with the basic plot and central character, which are collated on various scraps of paper and notebooks. Then I see where my mind, and the cast, lead me. I love the freedom of making it up as you go along.

Who are your characters?

My primary character is Christian Dane. An experienced investigator who has risen through the ranks to lead a major investigation team. He has a strong sense of what’s right, but isn’t above bending the odd rule. He’s ably assisted by Detective Constable Hayley Cross, a black female blessed with remarkable skills. They are a good team and, of course, fictional.

Where do you set your books?

Dane lives and works in the county of Essex, and that’s where most of his adventures occur. Dark Shadow sees a triple murder in the small market town of Wickford. Dane and Hayley go to Dorset, Cambridge, and London and then enjoy a quick jaunt to Spain. Vengeance Day highlights the popular seaside resort of Frinton on Sea. Rough Justice is based in the lovely city of Chelmsford, the shire seat of Essex. Persons of Interest has them investigating on the beautiful Mersea Island and Colchester, the ancient capital of Britain. The setting of Justice Served is the countryside of North Essex.

Where do you get the ideas for your plots?

I find inspiration in a variety of sources. My imagination, frequently triggered by television or newspaper reports, is my favourite. A recent story relating to an incident in Germany has given me a storyline for a future Dane adventure, or even a new character. Thoughts occasionally just pop into my mind, and I must scramble to note them down before I forget. I often observe something and ponder ‘What if.’ And I have all those years of personal experience to draw from.

Do you use any of the actual crimes you investigated as plots for your books?

No. I attended more than a hundred suspicious death scenes and led the investigation into dozens of murders. Each one is a tragedy, not only for the victim but also for the victim’s relatives, and the trauma will scar them forever. I couldn’t take those dreadful events and turn them into a work of fiction. I do nevertheless use my knowledge of how to investigate them to give my tales some realistic qualities.

What achievements in your life are you most proud of?

I have three wonderful children who, in turn, have produced a trio of handsome grandsons. (all of whom are about a foot taller than me!) They all make me very proud. I had a successful career and rose to a senior rank. But the feeling I experienced when holding a book with my name on the cover beats it all. Only surpassed, perhaps, by being asked to sign a copy for a fan.

When is your next book coming out?

The fifth instalment of the Dane series, Justice Served, is out now.