Simon Toyne

Simon Toyne is a British author known for his suspenseful thriller novels. His debut novel, Sanctus (2011), became an international bestseller, translated into 27 languages, published in over 50 countries, and was the biggest-selling debut thriller in the UK.

Simon Toyne was born in Cleethorpes, England, but spent his formative years in Peterborough. He moved to Goldsmiths College, part of the University of London, to study English and Drama. He then worked as a producer and director in commercial television for almost twenty years.

Toyne's breakthrough in the literary world with Sanctus marked the beginning of the "Sancti Trilogy," a series of religious conspiracy thrillers that garnered attention from readers and critics alike. The trilogy continued with The Key (2012) and The Tower (2013). The series delved into themes of ancient mysteries, secret societies, and the clash between faith and science.

Critics and readers alike lauded Simon Toyne's writing for its intricate plots, well-crafted characters, and skillful blending of historical and religious elements with contemporary action. His ability to create a sense of urgency and suspense kept readers eagerly turning the pages.

In addition to the Sancti Trilogy, Toyne also penned standalone novels like The Boy Who Saw (2017) and The Searcher (2015), demonstrating his versatility as an author beyond the confines of a single series.

His most recent work, The Clearing, came out in 2023. It is a suspenseful thriller novel centered around a series of mysterious disappearances of women in Cinderfield. The local community attributes these disappearances to various causes, such as transients or runaways, and even to the ominous figure of the Cinderman, a legendary character said to haunt the surrounding forest and prey on unsuspecting victims.

Simon Toyne lives with his family and splits his time between Brighton and the South of France.

Photo Credit: www.simontoyne.net