John Marsh

Hearts of Green a finalist for the Peoples Book Prize (Summer 2014)

Percy Publishing - Best Publisher 2014 Peoples Book Prize 2014

John Marsh writes gritty, unflinching fiction inspired by real-world military life, personal displacement, and the darker corners of masculinity. A former British soldier, Marsh brings raw authenticity and technical precision to every story—because he’s lived it.

His debut novel, Hearts of Green, follows a young recruit’s harrowing journey through the ranks of the British Army in 1980s Germany. Hailed for its brutal realism and emotional depth, it explores hazing, isolation, and what it means to survive in a culture built on control.

In his follow-up, It’s All About the Money, Marsh turns his eye to civilian life—where corruption, power, and temptation await ex-soldiers looking for purpose. Set in the early days of the internet boom, the novel exposes the web of digital crime, manipulation, and moral compromise beneath the surface of a seemingly simple tech start-up.

Together, these two novels form The Broken Line — a hard-hitting diptych about life before, during, and after the military. For readers who appreciate dark, character-driven fiction that pulls no punches, Marsh’s work resonates with emotional honesty and lived experience.

Writing Style:

Blunt, gritty, emotionally grounded

Perfect for fans of Andy McNab, Jack Carr, Irvine Welsh, and Joseph Wambaugh

Think: military fiction meets British noir

When he’s not writing, John Marsh is often in the air—he’s also a qualified pilot—and spends time mentoring veterans, exploring history, or chasing the next story worth telling.