CHRIS (C.C.) HUMPHREYS was born in Toronto and grew up in the United Kingdom. All four of his grandparents were actors, and since his father was an actor as well, it seemed inevitable that he would follow in their footsteps. He has acted all over the world and appeared on stages ranging from London’s West End to Hollywood’s Twentieth Century Fox.

Humphreys began his writing career as a playwright. His first play, A Cage without Bars, won the inaugural 24-Hour Playwriting Competition in Vancouver, and was then produced at Performance Works Vancouver, and later at the top London fringe theatre, The Finborough Theatre. His second, Glimpses of the Moon, was commissioned and later produced by Lunchbox Theatre in Calgary. Humphreys recently adapted his novel Shakespeare’s Rebel for the stage.

The author of nine novels of historical fiction, Humphreys’ books have garnered bestseller status and critical acclaim across North America. The French Executioner was runner up for the CWA Steel Dagger for Thrillers 2002 and has been optioned for the screen. Humphreys’ books featuring the character Jack Absolute—the James Bond of the 1770s—are entitled Jack Absolute, The Blooding of Jack Absolute and Absolute Honour, the last of which was shortlisted for the 2007 Evergreen Award by the Ontario Library Association. As well as his adult fiction, Humphreys is also the author of several works for young adults: The Runestone Saga, The Fetch, Vendetta, Possession and The Hunt of the Unicorn. His books have been translated into more than ten languages.

Fire, Humphreys’ upcoming novel about the Great Fire of London, will be released by Doubleday Canada in 2015.

Humphreys lives on Salt Spring Island, B.C., with his wife and young son. You can connect with him at www.cchumphreys.com.