Les Cowan

Les Cowan confesses to always having had the writing itch but it took years and several other careers before there was enough time, space and energy to have a go. Now twelve years on we have five books in the David Hidalgo series (crime/thriller with a spiritual twist, published by Lion Hudson) and two more waiting in the wings.

After university, Les trained in social work and worked in the criminal justice system so has first-hand experience of social deprivation, crime, investigation, suspects, prisoners and their communities and families. All this is woven into the series. David is also anglo-Spanish (Les spent seven years in Spain), lives in Edinburgh (where Les studied) and pastors a small evangelical congregation - a world Les knows well.

As an experienced teacher and lecturer Les has communication and live reading skills and experience in mentoring and coaching. Rather than simply reading from his own work, Les’ presentations aim to explore how fiction interacts with and reflects contemporary life, particularly at the sharp end of crime, social dysfunction and personal responsibility.

As well as gathering top reviews, the Hidalgo series has perhaps been best summed up by one reader as tales of “corruption and compassion.”