Whitechapel (69 page)

BRYAN LIGHTBODY
 

Born in 1968, Bryan Lightbody the son of a police officer and a teacher has been a member of the Metropolitan Police since 1988, co-incidentally the centenary year of the Whitechapel Murders. Inspired by coverage of this fact, he began avidly reading as much as he could on the subject and also watching relevant films and documentaries. This led to a good working knowledge of the crimes, and in 1993 he transferred to duties that brought him to work directly in the area in which the crimes were committed. This allowed the opportunity to observe the area regularly by night in its most atmospheric ‘Ripper’ sense. By the end of 1998 having left the area to move again to other duties he was inspired to consider writing a book. There are numerous reference books on the subject but few fictional period thrillers, and inspired by books such as Anthony Grey’s ‘Saigon’ a historical novel, he began to tentatively put ‘pen to paper.’

With eighteen years police experience behind him in various uniform departments, he felt that he could write a thriller with the central character as a humble uniform constable and his interactions with those involved in the investigation. On an informal basis with groups of friends he has toured the area which on the whole no longer reflects the East End that either ‘Jack the Ripper’ or the police attempting to apprehend him knew.

Bryan Lightbody has worked in the Borough of Redbridge, engaged in traffic duties around the East End of London, worked as a car and motorcycle instructor at the police driving school at Hendon and currently works within the Royalty Protection department.

Outside of work he is married with two dogs, two motorbikes, a scooter and two cars – motoring is a passion, and enjoys theatre, Roman history and archaeology, travel, cinema and of course writing.