Colin Bateman

Colin was born in Newtownards in County Down in 1962 but grew up in Bangor, where he attended Ballyholme Primary School and Bangor Grammar School. After leaving school he worked as a reporter on a local newspaper, which he believes was the perfect training for a writer. He wrote the acclaimed ‘Divorcing Jack’ in his spare time and, after numerous rejections, it was published by Harper Collins in 1995. He has written 14 novels since then and has had three screenplays filmed, ‘Divorcing Jack’, ‘Cycle of Violence’ (his second novel) and ‘Wild About Harry’. His television credits include the BBC series ‘Murphy’s Law’.

‘No Alibis’, the Botanic Avenue bookstore which specialises in mystery and crime, opened its doors nearly ten years ago. I was the first author to do a public reading there and I’ve been back almost every year since. It’s where I launch every new novel. In these times of huge supermarket chains which all look identical and the impersonal internet, it’s nice to find somewhere that’s like a home from home - every customer is welcomed with a cup of coffee and a chat by owner David Torrance, and authors visit from all over the world to give readings …or just to have a bit of a gossip! David has lately taken to hosting musical evenings with some of the finest artists in the country performing. It’s like having your own private members’ club. I’ve actually been so inspired by this place that I’ve written a short story set in the store called ‘The Case of Mrs Geary’s Leather Trousers’ featuring a book shop owner turned private detective!