Derek was born in Hampshire in England but spent his teenage years in Auckland, New Zealand, where he still has strong family ties. For many years he taught history in a secondary school in Berkshire but took early retirement several years ago to concentrate on his writing. Apart from writing, he spends his time gardening, travelling, walking and taking part in archaeological digs at a Roman villa. Derek is interested in a wide range of historical themes but his particular favourite is the late medieval period. He writes action-packed fiction which is rooted in accurate history. His debut historical novel, Feud, is set in the period of the Wars of the Roses and is the first of the series entitled Rebels & Brothers which follows the fortunes of the fictional Elder family. The remaining books of the series were published as follows: A Traitor's Fate, in November 2013 Kingdom of Rebels, in September 2014. The Last Shroud, in August 2015. Derek is now working on a new Wars of the Roses series set about ten years after The Last Shroud.