Peter Tonkin retired after 42 years as a teacher of English, History and Law (which he also examined for the Oxford and Cambridge board) in March 2016. During his time as a teacher he published 38 novels: 30 in the Mariner series of international action-adventures. 4 in the Master of Defence series of Elizabethan murder mysteries, and 4 occasional novels including the international best-seller Killer and the vampire story The Journal of Edwin Underhill. Since retiring, he has added another 2 titles to the Master of Defence series, written 5 spy stories set in Ancient Rome (Caesar’s Spies) tracing events between Caesar’s murder and the battle of Philippi and three murder mysteries set during the build-up to the Trojan War (The Trojan Murders). He has just completed the fifth of a proposed six-book series (the Queen’s Intelligencer series) following the adventures of Elizabethan spy and assassin Robert Poley, an actual historical figure most famous for the unmasking of the Babington Plot – which led to the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots (Shadow of a Queen). Sharpe Books October 2025)- and the murder of playwright Christopher Marlowe (proposed title Shadow of a Spy). Tonkin and his wife of 45 years Charmaine, who is also his editor, travel widely researching his books. Since their two sons set up home for themselves, Peter and Charmaine have travelled more widely still. They have recently returned from Madrid where they visited Philip II’s Escorial monastery/palace researching Shadow of Poison (long-listed for the inaugural Spymasters literary prize) and Shadow of a Spy, the final book in the series. They have visited many places associated with the Queen of Scots including Edinburgh, Jedburgh and Carlisle researching the most recent book Shadow of a Queen. They have also visited Ischia, Capri, Rome many times, Paris and Marseilles in recent years, as well as Egypt, which they first visited in search of Cleopatra, but to which they now return regularly, currently in preparation for a new project to begin after the Queen’s Intelligencer series is complete. Peter Tonkin’s novels and short stories are listed on Fantastic Fiction. They are also presented in many editions on: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001K8TDVS/allbooks