Ian Simpson

During his eighteen years on the bench Ian’s workload covered the spectrum from brutal homicides to a youth who rode round Airdrie housing estates on a bike, stealing garden gnomes. He achieved brief fame when he was (inaccurately) reported as having sentenced the entire Airdrie football team to community service after the club had breached planning laws. Civil cases he dealt with included a number involving dampness in council houses, one arising out of a helicopter crash and, most difficult and distressing of all, the very many concerning the welfare of children.

When he retired, unable to spend all day on the golf course, he wrote crime fiction as well as light-hearted newspaper articles on legal topics. His first effort was, in 2008, shortlisted for the Debut Dagger by the Crime Writers' Association. Murder on Page One is his first published novel.

He lives in Edinburgh with his long-suffering wife, Annie. They have two sons.