Jack Cottam

Born in Middlesbrough in 1949 Jack Cottam has had an interesting career before turning to writing in 2015 following the deterioration of a chronic back problem which restricts his mobility.

He moved down to London in early 1970 when he was 19 and got a job with Avis rent-a-car as a car washer but he progressed in the company to manage Avis Van Rental at Heathrow Airport. He moved to a rival company before joining his brother in the cosmetic business before walking the Souks in Saudi Arabia and other Middle East Countries selling his own brand of perfume.

In 1986 he joined the sales force of Allied Dunbar and found new challenges. He remained in this position for 15 years before leaving to specialise in property finance and finding property for overseas clients. His deteriorating back problems forced him into retirement in 2015 and move to single floor living because stairs became too much. His first work was a trilogy - The 19th Hole; Revenge and The Quest followed by a Mother's Love and most recently Martha's Guesthouse. He remains committed to writing and self-publishing; he will release new murder mystery - The Zilhouette Murders - later this year.

He lives with his wife Margaret;he met her in London in 1970 and they married on New Years Day 1972. They have two grown up children and four grandchildren.