J. Wallis Martin is the author of six novels, one full-length work of non-fiction, and a volume of poetry, but it is for her crime novels that she is best-known. Of these, A LIKENESS IN STONE was adapted as a two-part drama by the BBC.

Her second and third novels, THE BIRD YARD and THE LONG CLOSE CALL were optioned by Diplomat Films.

Prior to writing full-time, Julia worked for Hodder & Stoughton (South Africa) as a commissioning editor. She joined the company in 1986 and returned to in England in 1992. In 1997, Hodder accepted A LIKENESS IN STONE as part of a two book deal. THE BIRD YARD, THE LONG CLOSE CALL, and DANCING WITH THE UNINVITED GUEST swiftly followed. All four novels have been published to international acclaim.

Julia read English at NUI Galway and recently graduated from the University of St. Andrews with a PhD.