Andrew Taylor

Andrew Taylor was born in Stevenage when it was just a sleepy country town. He grew up in the Fens in the shadow of a vast cathedral. After university, he rambled about four continents, earned very little and conspicuously failed to become a writer. In desperation, he returned to university and then worked as a librarian in London.

Then, in a moment of panic, he began his first book. Against all odds, the novel found a publisher, whereupon he decamped to the Forest of Dean, largely because it was the complete opposite of the Fens.

Andrew has been there ever since, crumbling away in a crumbling stone cottage. He walks among trees and plays in a punk-rock ukulele and guitar band which has been known to make strong men weep.

In his next life, he would like to be an author.

Books by Andrew Taylor

The Shadows of London

A body is discovered on a building site in 17th century London and architect/builder Cat Hakesby is horrified when the local JP puts a stop to all work on the site. Cat seeks out her friend, James Marwood, to help her save her business.  

Reviewed on 09 September 2024 by Sylvia Maughan

The Last Protector

James Marwood and Catherine Lovett (now Hakesby) must combat the latest intrigues of George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, as he seeks to exploit the return of the fugitive Richard Cromwell, son of Oliver, and late Lord Protector of England.

Reviewed on 23 October 2021 by Timothy Field

Fireside Gothic

A trio of supernatural, eerie and haunting Gothic novellas.

Reviewed on 24 June 2017 by John Cleal

The Ashes of London

The body of a murdered man is found in the ruins of St Pauls after the Great Fire. Minor civil servant James Marwood, son of a Protestant extremist, is dragged into treacherous waters where he crosses the path of a determined, but vengeful young woman.

Reviewed on 09 July 2016 by John Cleal

The Silent Boy

The son of Edward Savill’s estranged wife has been brought to England by French émigrés fleeing the bloody excesses of the Revolution. But the horrors he has witnessed – and a terrible secret he holds – keep the boy from speaking.

Reviewed on 07 February 2015 by John Cleal

The Scent of Death

In 1778, New York is under siege by the armies of George Washington. Edward Savill has been sent by the English government’s American Department to resolve property issues among loyalists. He stumbles onto a murder, which sparks a trail of deceipt, corruption and lies.

Reviewed on 16 November 2013 by John Cleal