Robert Darke was born and raised in Cardiff but then moved all over the UK with his job in HM Customs and Excise before eventually returning to settle back in his home town. He left Customs to provide IT Security and Audit services for several major organisations in the private and public sectors. In 2013 he took early retirement from his job as Head of Corporate Communication for a large government agency to allow more time to concentrate on his writing. He is also a keen photographer, hospital radio presenter and proud member of the Harley-Davidson Owners Group (HOGs) Great Western Chapter.