M J Lee

Author

M.J. Lee is a British author of crime fiction and historical mystery whose DI Ridpath series, set in Manchester, has won a devoted following for its authentic setting, compelling investigations, and sharp plotting. A versatile writer, he has published across multiple genres and drawn on a remarkably varied career and life... experience. Lee was born and grew up in Manchester, but his career has taken him all over the world. He has worked as a university history researcher, a social worker for Vietnamese refugees, and a creative director in the advertising industry, living in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, Bangkok, and London before returning to his home city. The DI Ridpath crime thriller series is set in Manchester and follows Detective Inspector Thomas Ridpath, who is on temporary assignment to the Coroner's Office while navigating the politics and pressures of Greater Manchester Police. The series began with Where the Truth Lies (2018) and has continued with When the Evil Waits, When the Dead Speak, When the Night Ends, and further instalments, published by Canelo. The novels are praised for their authentic Manchester settings, procedural detail, and the complex personal and professional life of their protagonist. Lee has also written the Jayne Sinclair Genealogical Mystery series, which follows a forensic genealogist investigating historical mysteries, and the Inspector Danilov series, set in 1920s Russia. His range across genres and settings reflects his own wide-ranging interests and international experience. He writes with a journalist's eye for detail, a historian's depth of research, and a thriller writer's instinct for pace and tension. The audiobook editions of Lee's DI Ridpath novels bring Manchester and its characters vividly to life. His books and audiobooks are essential for crime fiction fans who love procedural thrillers with a strong sense of place and a detective you can root for. Read more Show less