Michael Dobbs

In his time at Westminster, he held positions as both Chief of Staff and Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party, has a doctorate in defence studies and was given the epithet 'Westminster's baby-faced hit man' by insiders.

All of which left him perfectly placed to write a series of novels which focus on the political machinations of various political administrations and royal institutions. His first novel, House of Cardslaunched the career of the villainous Francis Urquhart, immortalised so memorably by Ian Richardson in the eponymous BBC TV series. His more recent novels, such as Goodfellowe MP, The Buddha of Brewer Street, and Whispers of Betrayal, feature an eerie portent of the 9/11 atrocities whereby a small group of trained and motivated people could hold an entire city to ransom.

His latest novels include Winston's War, about the extraordinary relationship between Winston Churchill, Neville Chamberlain and the young Soviet spy, Guy Burgess, and First Ladyabout a scheming politician's wife who will stop at nothing to get her husband into No 10…

First Lady is priced £17.99, and is available from all good bookshops now.