Michael Jecks

I am the author of over 40 novels, collaborated with another 10, and written several short stories for Avon/HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Headline/Hachette, Severn House, Black Thorn and Canelo.
My main series is the Templar Series with 32 titles, based on a renegade Templar knight who escaped when the Order was destroyed, and returned to England, where his breadth of knowledge helps him investigate murders with his friend Simon Puttock, a local bailiff. Their investigations take them from Dartmoor to London, Paris and The Holy Land.
Second is my Vintener Trilogy, set in the Hundred Years War. This is Band of Brothers in medieval times, with the vintaine (think platoon) of archers travelling across France for Crécy, the siege of Calais, and finally the glorious victory at Poitiers.
Third is my humorous Bloody Mary series, set in the reign of Queen Mary, which tracks the life of Jack Blackjack, a moderately successful pickpocket and petty thief who, because of a series of unfortunate accidents, is thought to be a brilliantly successful murderer. As such, he is hired by men in the pay of Princess Elizabeth (soon Queen Elizabeth I) to be her personal assassin. He is not up to the job. The fifth in the series has now been submitted, and two more are being contracted.
Finally, I have a stand-alone spy thriller, which is Jason Bourne meets John Smiley. Lee Child said: "An instant classic British spy novel - mature, thoughtful, and intelligent … but also raw enough for our modern times. Highly recommended."
For the future I am developing a new historical series set in the 1920s, I am working on the 33rd commissioned Templar story - the Felon Pleader - and have two other commissioned works to write.
In 25 years of writing, I have been shortlisted for several prizes including the CWA/Theakstone's Old Peculiar for the best crime novel of the year. I've been Chairman of the Crime Writers' Association, Hon Secretary of the Detection Club, and judge for prizes as diverse as local literary festivals and the CWA/Ian Fleming Steel Dagger. I have also been International Guest of Honour at the Crime Writers of Canada, and was honoured to be Grand Marshal at the first parade of the New Orleans Mardi Gras in 2014.
Rep: joanna@.uk
Film: marc@.uk