John was born in West Yorkshire, and worked as a cabaret musician before studying English
Literature at Cambridge University, followed by a PhD in Language Acquisition at Hull University (UK). He worked as a university lecturer before moving Spain, where he now lives, working as a writer, translator and journalist.
His first published work, the novella Eating Mammals, won the Paris Review’s Discovery (Plimpton) Prize in 2002, and he has gone on to publish fiction and non-fiction with William Morrow and Farrar, Straus & Giroux in the US; and with 4 th Estate and HQ/HarperCollins in the UK.
Translations of his work have been published in Russian, Italian, German, Spanish, Galician and Polish.
-
![Cover of To The Grave by John Barlow]()
To the Grave (DS Joe Romano book 2)
Will the truth be buried with the dead?
When DS Joe Romano first meets Ana Dobrescu she’s nervous, in serious danger, and clearly needs help. The next time Romano sees her, she’s dead.
There was nothing more he could have done, but that’s cold comfort for Romano. He’s determined to catch Ana’s killer. Although the prime suspect, her millionaire boyfriend, is in a coma.
With the help of his larger-than-life partner Rita Scannon-Aktar, Romano begins to piece together a puzzle that places Ana at the centre of something much bigger than they could have imagined.
But while they’re hunting a murderer, those higher up are more concerned about the money. So it’s up to Romano to get justice for Ana. And whatever she knew, he’ll just have to pray that she didn’t take her secrets to the grave.
‘An incredibly fast paced piece of crime fiction that kept me turning the pages. Overall a cracking read!’ Karen Woods, author of Tracks
‘Fast paced and relevant . . . will keep you captivated from beginning to end’ Liz Mistry, author of the Detective Nikki Parekh series
-
![The cover of Right to Kill by John Barlow]()
Right to Kill (DS Joe Romano book 1)
On a Thursday night in February, DS Joe Romano finds himself back on home turf in Wortley, West Leeds. He’s following up on the disappearance of drug dealer Craig Shaw.
It’s the start of a case that could make or break Romano’s career. Because Shaw is about to go from missing to murdered.
While some don’t think Shaw’s killer should be brought to justice, Romano believes every life counts. But he’s running out of time.
The killer is ready to strike again. And Romano will be forced to question whether anyone has the right to kill.
‘A gritty, uncompromising thriller’ Paul Finch, author of One Eye Open
‘A commercial thriller that highlights hot-button regional and national issues . . . sure to generate conversation’ Yorkshire Post
‘A modern take on the classic police procedural’ Russ Thomas, author of Firewatching
‘Breakneck pace, terrific protagonist and a kick-ass sidekick’ Neil Lancaster, author of Dead Man’s Grave
