Tom Rob Smith is a renowned English novelist, celebrated for his historical fiction and thriller novels. He was born in 1979 to a Swedish mother and an English father and was raised in south London. From a young age, Smith demonstrated a keen interest in writing, crafting plays while still in school. This passion continued during his time at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 2001. His writing career took a significant leap when he furthered his studies in Italy, focusing on creative writing for a year. Upon completing his studies, he worked as a scriptwriter.
Smith's writing breakthrough came with his first novel, "Child 44," published in early 2008. The novel, inspired by the Russian child murderer Andrei Chikatilo, is set in Stalinist Russia and explores a series of child murders. "Child 44" was an instant success, translated into 17 languages and winning several prestigious awards. These include the 2008 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for Best Thriller of the year by the Crime Writer's Association and the Galaxy Book Award for Best New Writer. The novel was also longlisted for the Man Booker Prize and shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and the inaugural Desmond Elliot Prize.
The success of "Child 44" led to a trilogy, followed by "The Secret Speech" in 2009 and "Agent 6" in 2011. Smith's work has been recognized globally, with "Child 44" being adapted into a major motion picture in 2015, starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, and Gary Oldman. Smith currently resides in London with his partner, BBC TV exec Ben Stephenson, continuing to captivate readers with his compelling narratives and historical depth.