Jim Kelly is an English novelist, best known for his crime fiction novels. He has written several series, including the Philip Dryden series and the D.I. Peter Shaw & D.S. George Valentine series. Kelly has received critical acclaim for his work and has won numerous awards, including the CWA Dagger in the Library award and the New Angle Prize for Literature.
Born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, Kelly was the only child in his family to be born outside of London. His father, Brian B. Kelly, was a detective in London's elite metropolitan police force and served in the second world war as an Army Commando. Kelly's maternal grandfather was a JP and a special constable. Growing up, Kelly attended Finchley Catholic Grammar School and Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School. His love for books began at a young age, as he would often spend his time reading at the W H Smith's near his house and the Barnet Library.
In addition to being a successful author, Kelly is also a journalist and education correspondent for the Financial Times. He currently resides in Cambridgeshire, UK with his wife, biographer Midge Gilles, and their daughter. Kelly is a lifelong fan of the Barnet Football Club. His genre of writing includes mystery and thriller. His first novel, The Water Clock, was shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey Award for best first crime novel of 2002.