Peter Lovesey was born in Whitton, Middlesex in 1936. He was a teacher before becoming a full-time writer. Lovesey's first mystery novel was Wobble to Death which introduced Victorian detective Sergeant Cribb. He later introduced Peter Diamond and Bertie in his novels to follow. He also writes under the pseudonym Peter Lear. His works have been translated into 22 languages and several of them were adapted for television and film. Lovesey's works have earned him numerous awards. He is a three time winner of the CWA Silver Dagger. He also won the CWA Gold Dagger in 1982 and the 2000 CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger Award in recognition of his career in mystery writing. He is the recipient of the Anthony Award, McAvity Award, Ellery Queen Readers' Award and the Mystery Writers of America Golden Mysteries Short Story Prize. Internationally, he has won the Grand Prix de littérature Policiére and the Prix du Roman d'Adventures.