Ian Austin was born in 1963 in Southampton, England; his very un-remarkable school life ended at 16. Drifting into and out of several jobs including hotel porter and photocopier salesman he eventually found his salvation in the Hampshire Police. A career first as a constable and then detective in the UK followed. He also served as a tactical firearms officer, covert surveillance operative and became the youngest ever in terms of service National Crime Squad trainer. Ian suffered a serious injury in 1991 while on duty, his recovery included bouts of severe depression and a lengthy rehabilitation and he realised he needed a change. When the NZ Police launched a recruitment drive to get UK officers to relocate to New Zealand in the early 2000s he took the opportunity and transferred to the New Zealand Police. Having visited several times before he had fallen in love with the country and the Kiwi way of life so it was an easy decision. In 2006 he left the Police and now runs his own training and consultancy business. He self-published his first novel The Ideas Man in 2011 selling in New Zealand, Australia, America and the UK. Ian says: "I never thought I would find something which gives me the job satisfaction I got in the Police but writing does. I'm now writing books based on all my experiences and police training and I am determined to make writing a new career." The Agency, was published in 2016 to great success, and continues to sell well. Ian's writing style is very descriptive, formed over many years of reports, statements and interviews for the Courts and juries requiring detailed reports that paint a picture. His ability to communicate with his audience and allow them to see, hear, feel touch and taste what is happening on the page is as uncommon as it is satisfying. Ian now lives in Auckland with his partner Sallie. Collectively they have five grownup children who are spread over New Zealand, Australia and southern England.
The suspense of The Agency lies in how Calder will net his prey and in the tantalizing loose ends left by Austin, who with this novel begins a trilogy that promises to answer the intriguing question of what prompted the end of Calder's police career in the UK. Auckland crime fiction is home to a few good men; add Dan Calder to their ranks; Stephanie Jones, Crime Watch, KiwiCrimeBlog
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