About Richard

Richard is an independent, published author living on the south coast of England. He writes atmospheric, character‑driven fiction that blends local history with a touch of the Otherworld. His debut novel, The Black Lion, is the first book in the series Spirits of the Past and marks the start of a project that explores memory, place, and the secrets that linger in old towns. The second instalment, Letters In Suitcases Abandoned, is due to be released later this year.

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The Black Lion and Spirits of the Past

The Black Lion follows the life and mysterious death of Brighton brewer Deryk Carver. When successful solicitor Matt spots a medieval cottage up for sale, he gives up his career to rent it out as a holiday-let. Set in the heart of the old town of Brighton, the step proves to be fruitful as the bookings come rolling in.

But the cottage has a dark secret: its guests are haunted by ghosts from the past. When one guest hands Matt a medieval hat found in the ‘Underworld’, it occurs to him that past and present are intertwined.

Every sign seems to lead to Deryk Carver, the owner of The Black Lion pub, who met a terrifying end in the sixteenth century. Desperate to find the truth, Matt embarks on a journey on ‘All Hallow’s Eve’.

‘The Black Lion’ is Richard’s first novel, book one in the series ‘Spirits of the Past’.

Finished in May 2020 and independently published on 22 July 2020, the novel is available as paperback, Kindle and audiobook. It is book one in the Spirits of the Past series.

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Background and writing journey

Born and raised in the Netherlands, Richard grew up among tree‑lined canals and an ancient city centre that fed his love of history and storytelling. At the age of 30 he moved to Brighton & Hove, and today he lives in a small town on England’s south coast of England.

Richard began writing at 40 and has independently published multi‑genre work since 2014, including gluten‑free cookbooks and short story collections. A pivotal writing workshop in 2018 inspired him to turn his attention to historical and supernatural fiction, culminating in The Black Lion.

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Where to find the book

The Black Lion is available from major retailers and independent shops, including Amazon, Waterstones, Book Depository and City Books in Brighton & Hove. Whether you prefer a physical copy, an ebook or an audiobook, there are options to suit your reading style.

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Personal life and passions

Home life: Richard shares his life with Michael and their Miniature Schnauzer on the south coast.

Passions: cooking and writing fiction are central to his days; he loves recipes that bring people together and stories that linger after the last page.

Approach to writing: Richard combines careful historical research with a focus on mood and character, aiming to create novels that feel both intimate and cinematic.

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Favourite books

The Immortalists; The Haunting of Highdown Hill; How to Stop Time; The Darkness; The Miniaturist; Pet Sematary; The Mists of Avalon; Foucault’s Pendulum; Wuthering Heights; Call Me by Your Name; The Book Thief; The Invitation.