Giles Blunt is a renowned Canadian author, screenwriter, and novelist, best known for his crime fiction and mystery novels. He was born in Windsor, Ontario, in 1952 and grew up in North Bay, which has served as the inspiration for the setting of his John Cardinal series. Blunt's fascination with literature and storytelling began at an early age, and he spent much of his childhood developing his writing skills.
Blunt's first novel, Cold Eye, was a psychological thriller set in the New York art world. The book received critical acclaim and was later adapted into a French movie titled Les Couleurs du diable. However, it was Blunt's John Cardinal series that truly solidified his reputation as a master of crime fiction. Set in the fictional town of Algonquin Bay, which is based on North Bay, the series follows the exploits of Detective John Cardinal and his partner, Lise Delorme, as they investigate a series of grisly murders. The first novel in the series, Forty Words for Sorrow, won the prestigious British Crime Writers' Silver Dagger Award in 2001. The second novel, The Delicate Storm, won the Crime Writers of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award for Best Novel in 2004.
In addition to his work as a novelist, Blunt has also enjoyed a successful career as a screenwriter. He has written for several popular television shows, including Law & Order, Street Legal, and Night Heat. Blunt's novels have been translated into multiple languages and are widely read around the world. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his work, including two nominations for the Dublin IMPAC award. In June 2014, he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Education from Nipissing University.
Blunt's writing is known for its vivid descriptions, complex characters, and intricate plotlines. He has been compared to notable authors such as Ian Rankin and Cormac McCarthy, and his work is highly regarded by critics and readers alike. In addition to his crime fiction novels, Blunt has also written a collection of poems called Vanishing Act, as well as several other standalone novels, including No Such Creature and Breaking Lorca. He currently resides in Toronto with his wife and two cats. When not writing, he enjoys playing music with his intermittent group, Quango.