Kerry J Donovan

Kerry J Donovan is a bestselling crime novelist and former scientific advisor to the government who lives in Nottinghamshire. His 13 book Ryan Kaine thriller series, which has sold over a quarter of a million copies in e-book and garnered thousands of five-star reviews, will be published in paperback for the first time in 2025.

Born in Dublin, Kerry is a nephew of the legendary Irish playwright, author, journalist and broadcaster John Purcell O'Donovan. He grew up in a military family in South Wales. After being expelled from grammar school aged seventeen, Kerry worked as a Civil Servant and a Cabinet Maker before returning to education aged 37, achieving a first-class honours degree in Human Biology and a PhD in Sport and Exercise Sciences. A former scientific advisor to The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Kerry helped UK emergency first-responders prepare for chemical and biological attacks in the wake of the 9/11 atrocities.

Kerry’s scientific background combined with a love of open-water swimming lend authenticity to his writing. A keen traveller, Kerry lived in Brittany for many years before returning to the UK, and now enjoys exploring off-the-beaten track Europe on his Honda NC750X motorbike in search of interesting locations for his novels.