Mark Pettinger is a crime fiction writer of the DCI Priest novels. His debut The Decalogue entered the Amazon Bestseller Top 100 list in December 2015, and the Top 10 on the sub-genre of ‘police procedurals’.
Fitting his writing around his 'day job', Mark's writing pattern is somewhat sporadic, and he writes when he can, which can sometimes be in the hotel bar in the evening, or in an airport lounge trying to keep one eye on the departure board to ensure he doesn’t miss his flight!
Mark's interest in the murky world of crime started a number of years ago when he was attracted to reading true crime. He became fascinated with the exploits of the Yorkshire Ripper, Dennis Nilsen, John Wayne Gacy, Andrei Chikatilo etc.
An avid reader of many genre's, but his attention turned to favouring crime fiction; and his reading list includes Ian Rankin, Mark Billingham, Lynda La Plante, Jo Nesbo, and latterly CJ Tudor (for something just that little bit special).
Mark has openly credited Ian Rankin as the primary inspiration for not only stirring his interest in reading crime fiction, but also 'picking up the pen'.
Mark has published three hugely successful crime fiction novels: The Decalogue in 2012, Tick Tock Time's Up in 2015, Paper Soldiers in 2020 and more recently Where Darkness Lies in February 2023.
Next on his list is a new crime thriller, with a new protagonist, due for publication in December 2023.