John F Wake

And books under John F Wake - search - latest - The Madding of Eli McNamara, out now. The Camelot Inquisition out now.

I undertake illustrated talks / lectures on my books, nearly all relative to injustice or crime related in Victorian times.I am working on two more books now, due to be published in 2020 and 2021. 'Darkest Cardiff' and 'Merlingate'. The main part of my working life was as a Detective in a British Police Force. I spent over twenty years in the role, including seven years as the head of a Drug Squad. I remember one man who was just about to go to prison for 7 years say to me, 'We're all born equal. You and me may have been babies together. Life's path took you one way and me the other. Someone is born to be a Prince, someone is born to be a pauper. It's the luck of the draw'. I've always respected that point of view and hopefully treated everyone equal. Travelling is learning. So much history in the world and so little time to investigate it! I crave mystery. Whether it be enigmatic Standing Stones or an Unsolved Murder riddle, if it taxes the brain then 'bring it on'. Arthur and Merlin were two characters I was dying to look at. Did they exist? The only way I could find out was to investigate with a legal criteria.This took approximately ten years. I enjoyed the experience. I write lyrics to songs, many of which are included in my You Tube Channel (John Francis Wake) . I enjoy writing drama. I have had plays performed at the Welsh College of Music and Drama, The Edinburgh Festival among others. I was proud to be invited to the Smithsonian, Washington DC do talk to 500 attendees. I have done many Radio Phone-In shows, some I enjoy, some I regret. Live radio can be a minefield where you have to step carefully. I also am lucky to have met and talked to so many interesting people including, John Charles, Tony Blair, Richard Burton, John Prescott, Jack Straw. Prince Charles and many others. Some for minutes but in the case of John Charles a number of hours. He was probably the greatest footballer to come out of Wales. He was a humble and extremely gentle man who sadly is not with us any more. He showed me to be great you don't have to be arrogant. Let your work talk for you. Life's experiences have shown me the worst and best of human nature in it's various guises. Every day tells a story and everyone you meet is an actor in that day. The most illuminating experience of my life was in 2009 when diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. It was an humbling experience where things you once thought of as important were put surely in their place. The brilliance of Surgeons, Doctors, Nurses and Care Workers in the British NHS saved my life. Every new day takes on meaning. Hopefully that meaning can be put to good effect.