Sally Spencer

Sally Spencer is the pseudonym of English novelist Alan Rustage, who is known for his mystery and thriller novels. Rustage was born on January 1, 1949, in the United Kingdom and spent most of his childhood in the northern region of England. He adopted the pen name Sally Spencer during the time when it was almost obligatory for a woman's name to appear on the cover of mystery novels, drawing inspiration from other courageous authors like Emma Blair and Mary Jane Staples who also used female pen names. Rustage's decision to use a woman's name for his mystery novels was not out of shyness but a requirement during that period in the publishing industry.

Alan Rustage, under the pen name Sally Spencer, has written four novel series, comprising around 35 novels in total. His famous Inspector Sam Blackstone mystery series was written under both his real name and pen name. Additionally, Rustage also writes thriller novels under the pseudonym James Garcia Woods. Growing up, Rustage had a deep-seated passion for mystery and thriller novels, often trying his hand at writing stories and developing fictional characters and plots. This early interest in creative writing, combined with his determination and dedication, helped him hone the necessary skills to become a successful author. Rustage has expressed gratitude to the writers of his time, acknowledging that their successful works significantly contributed to his development as a writer.

Before becoming a full-time writer, Rustage worked as a teacher in England and overseas, including in Iran during the time of the Shah's fall in 1978-79. He admits to having grown accustomed to having rifles pointed at him by both soldiers and revolutionaries, although he never felt entirely comfortable with the situation. Rustage lived in Madrid for over twenty years, considering it the most interesting and exciting city he has ever visited. However, he now opts for a quieter life in the seaside town of Calpe, on the Costa Blanca. His first series of books were historical sagas set in Cheshire and London, which were popular among English readers but proved challenging for American readers due to the dialect. Rustage is a competitive games player who enjoys bridge and pub quizzes, and he maintains self-discipline to prevent himself from becoming overly engrossed in video games.