William Brodrick (born 1960 in Bolton, Lancashire) is a former Augustine friar, who became a barrister in 1991 and ten years later turned to writing fiction. His debut novel, The Sixth Lamentation, was published in 2003 under the Penguin Books imprint. The book is based on the author’s personal experience as a friar and a practicing lawyer, and it was shortlisted for the Richard and Judy British Book Awards in 2005. The Sixth Lamentation was followed by four books: The Gardens of the Dead (2006), A Whispered Name (2008), The Day of the Lie (2012) and The Discourtesy of Death (2013). For his novel A Whispered Name Brodrick won the Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger award in 2009.

Brodrick lived in Canada until he was eleven. He took BA in Philosophy and Theology, then earned a Master of Theology and a Degree of Utter Barrister. He joined the Augustinian Friars in Dublin, but left the order after several years, just before taking final vows. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Brodrick devoted a period of time to the work with homeless people and helped to set up the Depaul Trust charity.

He is an Australian and British citizen, but now lives in France with his wife and three children.

– compiled by Agnieszka Frątczak

The following are links to websites with information about the author:

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/notes-from-the-underground-20120414-1wzoc.html

http://www.heureka.clara.net/art/william-brodrick.htm