Chris Ewan, 41, is the bestselling author of many crime and thriller novels.

He is married to Jo, who is originally from the Isle of Man, and they have two children.

After living in Douglas and West Baldwin, three years ago they moved to Somerset, where he continues to write full-time.

He is the author of 11 books to date, with some of them, most notably Safe House, Long Time Lost and Dark Tides, and his published short story Scarlett Point, being set on the Isle of Man.

He has also released the crime novel series ’The Good Thief’s Guide’, which contains five books, set in Las Vegas, Berlin, Amsterdam, Venice and Paris. He currently working an a prequel, ’A Good Thief’s Guide to Murder’.

Chris was on the island last week to take part in the 2017 Manx Litfest, where he was named as a Patron of the event, alongside Alan Bradley. He also held a talk discussing his books and literary career to date.

What is your idea of a perfect meal?

A big American breakfast with my family at the start of a holiday in the States.

What is your favourite way to relax?

I can finally relax after finishing writing a new book.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Travel.

Do you have any pets?

Maisie, our thirteen-year-old Labrador, which we adopted on the Isle of Man.

What is your greatest achievement?

Filling a blank page.

What is your favourite time of the year?

Early Autumn.

What is the first job you ever had?

A Saturday job in WH Smiths.

Do you have any irrational fears?

Not unless a fear of finding a shark in a swimming pool is irrational.

What is your worst habit?

I’m guilty of constantly checking Facebook and Twitter far too often.

What is your favourite book?

I think it would have to be Raymond Chandler’s The Long Goodbye.

What is your favourite TV programme?

The West Wing. Or maybe Frasier.

What is your favourite band/artist at the moment?

Nothing credible - or current. I can’t write to music.

What is your favourite part of the Isle of Man?

Colden plantation, just above Injebreck reservoir, in the Baldwin valley.

What is the last show/band that you saw live?

Ben and Holly live! I’m pretty sure my daughter was more excited than I was.

If time/money were no object, what would be your perfect day?

I would fly with my wife to McMaster University, Canada, where we first met and go to the bar on campus, spending the day pretending, however unconvincingly, that I was still a student.

Choose three people, dead or alive, to invite to dinner?

Right now I would invite three authors whose books I’m reading, so that would be Scott Turow, Kate Atkinson and Mark Billingham.

Which do you prefer:

Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings?

Harry Potter.

Cats or dogs?

Dogs.

Birthday or Christmas?

Christmas.

Starter or pudding?

Pudding, obviously.

Quiet night in or night out?

Quiet night in with a good book!