Alex Coombs is a British crime writer best known for his Charlie Hunter and Hanlon series. He is retired from the police and set up as a PI and sleuth.
Alex Coombs was born in Lambeth in Coombs. He spent his formative years in the picturesque Chilterns near High Wycombe, attending school in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Coombs attended St Peter's College, Oxford, and later Edinburgh University, where he studied Arabic and Islamic History.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Coombs lived and worked in various parts of the Middle East and London. Besides his writing, Coombs is also a qualified chef, a profession that influences the gastronomic elements prevalent in his books. He has worked in many culinary settings, including restaurants, hotels, and a conference center. His culinary expertise is not just a background detail; he was once a sous chef in an award-winning gastropub.
His writing career features two prominent series: the Charlie Hunter series, which blends culinary arts with sleuthing, and the Hanlon series, centered around a retired female detective turned private investigator.
His recent books include Murder on the Menu (2023) and "Death in Nonna's Kitchen" (2024), both featuring the chef-turned-sleuth Charlie Hunter. These novels combine Coombs' flair for suspense with his culinary expertise.
Murder on the Menu introduces readers to Charlie Hunter, who invests all her savings to open a restaurant in the fictional village of Hampden Green. However, her venture soon entangles her in a murder investigation, challenging her to use her culinary and detective skills to solve the crime and clear her name.
The sequel, Death in Nonna's Kitchen, continues Charlie's adventures as she navigates the challenges of working with a famous TV chef during a local opera festival, only to find herself amid a blackmail scheme and a series of dangerous events.
Alex Coombs currently divides his time between Buckinghamshire and Edinburgh.
Photo credit: www.alexcoombs.co.uk
