Barry Maitland is a Scottish-Australian novelist, well-known for his expertise in the crime fiction/mystery genre. He is the author of the Kathy and Brock series, a set of novels that have gained considerable popularity among readers and critics alike. Prior to his career as an author, Maitland pursued academic studies and worked in the field of architecture. He later moved to Australia, where he became a professor at the University of Newcastle. It was not until the year 2000 that Maitland decided to devote himself fully to writing, leaving behind his academic career.
Maitland was born in Scotland in 1941 and studied architecture at Cambridge University. He began his professional career in the UK, where he worked as an architect and later earned a PhD in urban design from the University of Sheffield. In addition to his professional work, Maitland also taught at several institutions in the UK and authored several books on architecture and urban design. In 1984, he relocated to Australia to lead the architecture school at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, a position he held until the year 2000. It was during his time as a professor that Maitland began to write crime stories, publishing his debut novel, "The Marx Sisters," in 1994. This novel marked the beginning of the Brock and Kolla series, a set of books that would become Maitland's most well-known and successful work.
Maitland's background in architecture has had a significant influence on his writing, with his books often noted for their structured character, ingenious plots, and atmospheric settings. The Brock and Kolla series, in particular, is known for its intriguing depictions of different corners of London, where the novels are set. Maitland's books are not just whodunits, but also whydunits, delving into the devious histories and motivations of their characters. He currently resides in the Hunter Valley, Australia, where he writes fiction full-time.