A Life of Crime?

Many schools invite published authors in to give talks. There can’t be many schools, though, that can boast an author on their permanent faculty.

Richard Bingham has been teaching English at Sion since September. He has another life, though - as acclaimed crime writer Mark Peterson.

Mark Peterson’s crime novels are published in the UK and Germany. To date, there have been two books in the series – Flesh and Blood and A Place of Blood and Bone. Of the debut novel, the Glamour reviewer said, “gritty, compelling and utterly engrossing – this will keep you up all night.”

“They’re tough police thrillers,” is how Mark describes them. “When I was researching the books, I got to know some Sussex police officers quite well. If you’re investigating serious crime, you see the worst of human nature.”

It’s probably no surprise, then, that Richard prefers the classroom. He’s been teaching English for more than a decade now, and his previous schools have included Brighton and Hove High School and Lancing College.

“I hope I can inspire some of the pupils at Sion,” he says. “I’m currently mentoring a Year 12 student who is writing a really great fantasy novel. And I’m also working with a group of Year 9 pupils on their short stories for the Favonius competition.”

So, what’s his impression of his new school?

“I really like it here. Sion has a warm, familial atmosphere. And it’s definitely going places.”

If you would like to find out more, Mark Peterson will be talking at Shoreham Library on 16th June as part of this year’s Adur Festival. You might also like to visit Mark’s Amazon page:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flesh-Blood-Mark-Peterson/dp/1409135926