Reginald Hill

Reginald Hill, an esteemed English novelist, was born in Hartlepool in 1936 to what he described as ordinary parents. Growing up in Cumbria, Hill developed a love for reading at an early age, largely influenced by his mother's own passion for books. After completing his National Service from 1955-57, Hill pursued higher education, studying English at St Catherine's College, Oxford University from 1957-60.

In the following years, Hill worked as a teacher, eventually rising to the position of Senior Lecturer at Doncaster College of Education. However, in 1980, he made the decision to leave his salaried position and dedicate himself fully to writing. This commitment to his craft led to Hill's widespread publication in both England and the United States, earning him numerous accolades, including Britain's most coveted mystery writers award, the Cartier Diamond Dagger Award, as well as the Golden Dagger for his Dalziel/Pascoe series.

Hill is best known for his more than 20 novels featuring the Yorkshire detectives Andrew Dalziel, Peter Pascoe and Edgar Wield. His crime writing also extends to over 30 other novels, including five featuring Joe Sixsmith, a black machine operator turned private detective in a fictional Luton. Additionally, novels originally published under the pseudonyms of Patrick Ruell, Dick Morland, and Charles Underhill have been attributed to Hill, further showcasing his prolific writing career. Hill's work is characterized by its innovative structures, such as telling stories out of chronological order, which set him apart in the genre. In 1995, Hill was honored with the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for Lifetime Achievement, a testament to his lasting impact on the world of crime fiction. Hill passed away in January 2012 from a brain tumour.