His first love in reading was Science Fiction – especially the works of Arthur C. Clarke and Larry Niven, though lately Jack McDevitt's books have become firm favourites. Favourite authors from other genres include Michael Dibdin, David Mitchell, Jeffery Deaver and of course, Philip Pullman.

His interests, in addition to writing, are skiing, cricket (coaching and playing), watching Reading FC and Ceroc dancing. He has a wife, who is his best proof reader and critic, and three grown up children.