Charles Cumming was born in Scotland in 1971. He was educated at Eton and graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1994 with First Class Honours in English Literature. The Observer has described him as the best of the new generation of British spy writers who are taking over where John le Carre and Len Deighton left off . In the summer of 1995, Charles was approached for recruitment by the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). A year later he moved to Montreal where he began working on a novel based on his experiences with MI6. A Spy By Nature was published in the UK in 2001.
'BOX 88 is so good. Charles Cumming is up there with the very best espionage writers' Ian Rankin, Sunday Times No. 1 Bestselling Author of the Rebus novels 'BOX 88 is a wonderful spy novel; Charles Cumming's most ambitious - and his best - yet' Mick Herron, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Jackson Lamb series 'Atmospheric and full of sharply realised characters and absorbing tradecraft lore, this 1980s narrative displays all Cumming's gifts' Sunday Times 'With a lavish sprinkling of Bond and more than a teaspoonful of the Circus, this is a high-quality spy story' Daily Mail 'This clever thriller about loss of innocence and the consequences of spying totally rings true' Sun 'Charles Cumming writes with intelligence, grace, and stunning verisimilitude' Gregg Hurwitz, No. 1 Bestselling Author of the Orphan X series 'Great work from Charles Cumming with a multi-layered plotline and an engaging hero' James Swallow, Sunday Times bestselling author of Nomad 'A layered and seamlessly constructed story with all the hallmarks of the finest spy thriller' Charlotte Philby, acclaimed author of A Double Life and Part of the Family 'An enviably sharp-eyed and satisfying read. Great!' Henry Porter, author of Firefly and White Hot Silence 'A fast-paced story that moves seamlessly between the glamour of the South of France in the late eighties and present day London' Holly Watt, award-winning author of To the Lions 'Utterly gripping. A great new spy hero is born' Amanda Craig, author of The Golden Rule 'It held my rapt attention from beginning to end - and I felt much of the same pleasure I invariably find in a John Le Carre novel' Nicholas Coleridge, former President of Conde Nast International Don't overlook the depth of Charles Cumming's characterisations while you're busy writhing with excitement' Sunday Express 'An ambitious coming-of-age story combined with an enthralling spy thriller' Financial Times