Douglas Stewart

I was born in Scotland but raised in England. I have lived and worked as a lawyer and writer in London, Las Vegas, Cyprus and the Isle of Man. A combination of my legal background and love of writing has led to a busy life as an author of Iinternational Crime Thrillers. My 16th book, Deadly Hush, is being published in March 2024. I have also written a number of successful non-fiction books but currently, my focus is on the DETECTIVE RATSO series. These thrillers are about Det.Inspector Todd "Ratso" Holtom, a tough and resourceful Scotland Yard detective. DEADLY HUSH is the third in the series following on from HARD PLACE and DEAD FIX. I am currently writing the 4th with a working title of Deadly Shadows.Invariably, Ratso's investigations involve murder, violence and opportunities for internationl travel. UNDERCURRENT was a WH Smith Paperback of the Week and optioned by a Hollywood producer for a movie but has yet to reach the big screen. An earlier book topped the charts for 24 weeks as did a Compendium to which I contributed. Fiction or non-fiction, my books reflect my love of exciting and interesting locations, whether distant or in the United Kingdom. DEADLINE VEGAS is a stand-alone international thriller involving a young Londoner. His sister catches the casino cheating her at high-stakes roulette but she dies horribly before she can expose them. Dex vows revenge on the casino group. The trail takes him from London to Panama and Las Vegas where he discovers his sister was not the only one to meet a violent death. At whatever personal risk, he must achieve the unthinkable and destroy a multi-billion casino empire who will stop at nothing. to protect their business. THE DALLAS DILEMMA involves an amateur sleuth investigating a Dallas-based pharmaceutical company. Their arthritis drug has had deadly consequences for thousands. Though inspired by the truth, the book was withdrawn following the threat of a 10 million dollars lawsuit in California but has now been amended and re-released. CELLARS' MARKET, originally published by Collins Crime Club, involves an amateur sleuth investigating a global wine scam - part of an international wine war. Set in London, the USA and France, the soft underbelly of the wine trade is exposed. The book was optioned for a movie deal but has yet to be developed. My earliest books involved an English lawyer called Alistair Duncan. The series of three crime thrillers, originally published by Robert Hale, were CASE FOR COMPENSATION, VILLA PLOT, COUNTERPLOT and THE SCAFFOLD. My very successful true crime book TERROR AT SEA was hailed as an outstanding work and as the benchmark on modern day piracy and crime at sea. I have contributed to three books with other crime writers, one of which CAPITAL CRIMES, was a number-one best-seller. I remain an active member of International Thriller Writers (ITW) of the USA. I am married with three children and am now living on the Isle of Man.