M. J. Trow

M. J. Trow is a Welsh author of crime fiction, true crime and historical biography. He is best known for the Inspector Lestrade series, the Maxwell series and the Kit Marlowe mysteries. His published works include nearly one hundred titles of fiction and non-fiction.

Meirion James Trow was born in Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales, on 16 October 1949. He was educated at Warwick School from 1961 to 1968, before pursuing a degree in history at King's College London. After graduating, he spent a year at Jesus College, Cambridge. In 1972, he began his career as a history teacher in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

Trow married Carol Mary Long on 14 July 1973. In 1976, the couple moved to the Isle of Wight, where Trow taught history and politics at Ryde High School. He became a member of the Society of Authors and the Crime Writers' Association. Reflecting on his approach to storytelling, Trow once said that he believed in "keeping history human and accessible".

His writing career began with the Lestrade series, beginning with The Adventures of Inspector Lestrade (1985), followed by more than a dozen novels featuring the Scotland Yard detective. Trow went on to create the Mad Max Maxwell series, beginning with Maxwell's House (1994), and the Kit Marlowe historical mysteries, starting with Dark Entry (2011).

Trow also collaborated with Richard Denham on the Britannia series and with Maryanne Coleman on the Calidus books. In later years, he launched the Geoffrey Chaucer and Margaret Murray mystery series. His work spans both historical periods and contemporary settings.

In 2008, Trow appeared on Channel 4's Richard & Judy to discuss his biography Spartacus: The Myth and the Man. In addition to writing, he has organised and performed in numerous theatre productions, bringing historical characters to life on stage.

Trow has contributed to podcasts on history and true crime, both as a guest and as a presenter. He recently joined social media, which he describes as "a big step for a self-confessed dinosaur".

M. J. Trow continues to live and write on the Isle of Wight.

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