Simon Brett Books

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Simon Brett is a British author that writes detective fiction. He shouldn’t be confused with the wood engraver of the same name. According to Brett, this has happened before. Whenever people are astonished by his ability to not only write entertaining novels but to also create beautiful wood engravings, he has to inform them that he has no relation to Simon Brett, the engraver.

Brett, the author, was born in 1945 in Worcester Park, Surrey to a chartered surveyor and a teacher. He spent his childhood in Banstead, Surrey. His father started working for Lemon and Blizzard when he was 19.

John Brett stayed with the company until he was 67. Simon Brett attended the same school in Barnstead where his mother was a reception class teacher (Beacon School). He was also a student at Homefield, a school in Sutton.

A Major Scholarship in history took him to Wadham College, Oxford. He abandoned History for English. By 1967, Brett had a First Class Honors Degree. The author’s interest in theater was ignited during his Dulwich College days where he participated in school plays.

He went on to become the president of the Oxford University Dramatic Society. His involvement with the society gave Brett plenty of opportunities to write and direct. Life after college did not bring immediate success.

The author spent several weeks working as a Father Christmas at a department store. It did not take Brett long to enter the Radio Entertainment Arena. He worked for the BBC as a trainee. As his career advanced, he had the opportunity to work as a producer on shows like ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ and ‘The Burkiss Way’, not to mention the ‘Lord Peter Wimsey’ adaptation.

The author has fond memories of his time at the BBC, not just because it allowed him to write a variety of sitcoms but also because it introduced him to Lucy, his wife. Lucy was the Studio Manager when they met.

She was involved in the production of a number of the shows on which Simon Brett worked. They wedded in 1971. By 1981, they had three children.

Brett’s career wasn’t limited to Radio. He also tried his hand at television. But he did not enjoy the field because the production process was so slow. It didn’t help matters that the author was working so hard to launch his writing career.

It was during his stint as a television producer that Brett started to contemplate the notion of becoming a full-time writer. He wasn’t convinced that he could make his dream a reality whilst also working as a television producer.

The writer stayed with London Weekend Television for a while. But once he left, Brett committed his life to his writing, which is why he saw no need to apply for another day job. He has continued to write for radio and the theater.

Simon Brett Awards

Brett was nominated for Edgar Allan Poe Awards in 1986 and 1998.

Best Simon Brett Books

Besides reading, writing, and the theater, Brett also loves Tennis and The Times Crossword. Some of his best books include:

The Body on the Beach: Carole Seddon wants peace and quiet. This is why she left everything, including her husband and career, to settle in Fethering. The retirement town is everything she wants, calm, and controlled. As such, Carole is less than amused when Jude joins her neighborhood.

Jude has a name and history that do not meet Carole’s expectations as a Fethering resident. But any irritation Carole felt towards Jude goes out the window when a dead body is discovered on the beach.

Death on the Downs: Carole and Jude have a new mystery on their hands. Like the first one, Carole did not ask for this one. The rain accosted her during her walk and she was forced to hide in a dilapidated barn. It was here that she found the skeleton.

With Jude’s help, Carole attempts to identify the identity of the remains. She learns that they most likely belong to a young woman who disappeared months ago. Detective Bayliss has no interest in collaborating with Carole to resolve the mystery of the disappearance, and neither is the victim’s mother, who is convinced that her daughter is alive.

When Does The Next Simon Brett book come out?

Simon Brett doesn't seem to have an upcoming book. Their newest book is A Messy Murder and was released on September, 3rd 2024. It is the newest book in the Decluttering Mysteries Series.

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