Reay Tannahill (1929-2007) was born and brought up in Scotland. She went to the University of Glasgow where she got an MA in history and a postgraduate certificate in social sciences. After a varied career – probation officer, advertising copywriter, newspaper reporter, historical researcher and graphical designer – she was asked by the Folio Society to write a short study of Regency England. Several other books about art, history and food followed. She then embarked on her first historical novel, A Dark and Distant Shore, which was an instant bestseller. She proceeded to write a further eight acclaimed bestsellers.
