Michael David Anthony

Michael David Anthony, author of a short mystery series centered around the Canterbury Cathedral community, became a crime writer by accident. He was born in Wiltshire, England on January 17, 1942 to an Anglican parson, and he grew up inside rural vicarages and attending a Cathedral School. Refusing to live the predictable life of a parson’s son, Anthony chose not to attend university, but instead held a series of odd jobs including, door-to-door salesman and truck driver. Eventually, he found his way back into the classroom: He taught English in Libya and was a beloved lecturer for many years at the Woolwich College of Further Education. When he wrote his first book, The Becket Factor, murder was only a part of the plot, so he was surprised when he received an offer from Collins for the Crime Club imprint. However, he was soon an enthusiastic member of the Crime Writers’ Association. He also enjoyed playing tennis, flying planes, and yachting. He died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 61. His fourth and final book, A Cold Unhurried Hand was published posthumously in 2006.