Martin was born in Carlisle. He writes both fiction and non-fiction and his works range from subjects as varied as nineteenth century detective novels to mid-twentieth century sporting history. In 2010 he created Inspector Cornelius Armstrong, who carries out his police work against a backdrop of Edwardian Carlisle. With the publication of the first Inspector Armstrong Casebook, Martin became a member of the Crime Writers’ Association. He is also one of Story Terrace’s Premium Writers and in that role, has ghost written several books as diverse as the career of a special forces soldier to the hundred-year history of a local haulage company. He lives with his wife Wendy, in southwest Scotland.