Steve

Steven Elvy is the author of six novels plus a short‑story collection.

His most recent book, THE BRIDGE, is a historical novel about the three men who built the Széchenyi Chain Bridge in mid‑19th‑century Hungary, linking the twin towns of Buda and Pest.

His previous book, THOSE LEAST REMEMBERED, tells the story of the last invasion of Britain, which took place in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, in 1797. With both of these books, the challenge was to bring the real individuals to life in a believable way. One of the most satisfying reader reviews states:

“I am researching the ‘invasion’ and ordered this by mistake thinking it was factual. It’s fiction but none the worse for that. Author has a nice turn of phrase and paints colourful characters in a witty and intelligent way. Clearly well researched too, even if embellished. It’s a great yarn.”

Steven’s short‑story collection, THE ANTIQUARIAN, has many differing and compelling themes, ranging from tragedy to comedy, all linked by the commonality of the human spirit. There are no heroes or villains – just ordinary people trying to navigate the quirks of life.

When Steven began creating the central character for his mystery‑novel series, he thought long and hard about who this should be.

Having grown up in the sixties, Steven had gorged on popular TV and films of the time – from The Saint to the James Bond movies, from Danger Man to Harry Palmer. Among the rising British actors of the era were Roger Moore, Sean Connery, Patrick McGoohan and Michael Caine. These were actors who would eventually become household names. But alongside them were numerous others – perhaps equally talented – who never quite made it big.

From these thoughts, the character of a jobbing actor in 1950s Britain formed, and Simon Trevanion emerged.

So far, there have been three novels in the SIMON TREVANION MYSTERY series:

FINAL CURTAIN FOR PERRY WALPOLE

Simon Trevanion is a jobbing actor in 1950s Britain. Struggling to get his topsy‑turvy career off the ground, he at least has the consolation of regular work with the Golders Green Theatre Company alongside his friend, mentor and latter‑day film star Perry Walpole.

That is until dramatic events unfold offstage that change everything, when Simon and each of his fellow actors become the prime suspects in Perry’s murder.

WHO IS THE REAL CHARLIE RUMBOLD?

For jobbing actor Simon Trevanion, landing a role in the film Charlie by the Sea seems like a dream opportunity to further his rollercoaster career.

It is to be the debut feature film for Britain’s best‑loved TV comic, Charlie Rumbold, and looks set to be a sure‑fire box‑office success.

But when Simon becomes entangled in murky incidents from the comedian’s past – involving the mysterious death of a girl on the Isle of Man seventeen years earlier, a blackmail note, and then a near escape from death himself when he stumbles across a body at a caravan park near Southend – he quickly realises that he has got himself into very hot water and must ask the question: Who is the real Charlie Rumbold?

THE COMEDY OF FAME & FORTUNE

It’s 1960 and jobbing actor Simon Trevanion is out of work again. His agent, Petunia Hemple‑White, offers him the only thing available on her books, and so in desperation he becomes straight man to comic Billy Fame at the seedy Remington Club in the heart of London’s Soho.

But as Simon begins to learn more about the club and the odd selection of characters who inhabit it – including the Banks family, with their links to organised crime involving extortion, blackmail, prostitution and armed robbery – the more he is sucked into this dangerous new world and desperately looks for a way to get out.

All of these books are available in paperback, eBook, and on Kindle Unlimited.