Richard Burke was born in London, but grew up in Oxford from the age of ten.

After a short stint working as a bond trader in the city, he left finance for a career in television. He is an award-winning producer and director of TV science programmes, with credits that include the hit series Space for the BBC, and Discovery's series Raging Planet.

He now works part time in television and devotes the rest of his time to writing psychological thrillers.