Michael Marshall is a full-time writer. His novels include The Straw Men and Only Forward, and he also writes short stories and screenplays. Two of his earlier novels written under the name of Michael Marshall Smith, Spares and One of Us, have been optioned by major Hollywood studios. He lives in North London with his wife.

‘Marshall is a cracker at writing tense, rich scenes’ Observer‘The writing is assured and the plot carefully calibrated’ Guardian‘Just when you think there’s nothing new under the sun in the world of the suspense novel, along comes one hell of a nasty spider called The Straw Men. It’s brilliantly written and scary as hell. Be the first on your block to stay up all night with this one; it’s a masterpiece, reminding us that even paranoids really do have enemies.’ STEPHEN KING'A staggering, suspenseful journey through the darkness of American crime … succeeds in revitalising the serial killer novel with assured gusto… A new beginning for a major British writer, whose crime debut instantly moves him into the Thomas Harris division' Guardian‘Brilliantly plotted, stunningly written … I read this in one go … if this isn't a hit, I am a monkey's uncle. And I don't think I am’. Independent on Sunday