Stephen J Prior

For more than 20 years, I've been working with clients in defence and security. From UK cabinet office to the world's leading defence contractors. And all that time I've been reading spy thrillers, knowing more than I will ever be able to reveal.

The work I do involves writing. About the threats we face, the technologies and capabilities we're developing, and more generally about geopolitical instability and war in the 'grey zone'.

Finally, I thought, why don't I write some fiction about the world I inhabit every day...

When I'm not writing, I'm also a voracious reader - anyone from heroes like Michael Crichton, Ian Fleming, Robert Harris and John Le Carré to Zadie Smith, Val McDermid, Kim Sherwood and Amor Towles. Anyone, in fact, who spins a good yarn - who grips you from the off and embarks on that roller-coaster of emotion we call a great tale!

In my heart, I suppose I'm still a 14-year old boy in love with the idea of spies and special agents, great acts of heroism, a little naughtiness and a lot of action. I like my protagonists flawed but fair, complex and colourful, just but also judicious. It can be a big bad world out there. It's nice to know we have some people on our side. Even the ones we'll never ever hear about...