Picture a Welsh storyteller born in the back of an ambulance, weaving tales of crime and history that grip you like a stormy night—meet Chris Lloyd! This award-winning author has lived across Europe, soaking up cultures and crafting novels that blend meticulous research with heart-pounding narratives, set in the shadowy streets of occupied Paris and the vibrant cities of Catalonia.
The Making of Chris Lloyd
Born with a flair for the dramatic in South Wales, Chris Lloyd’s journey to becoming a crime fiction maestro was anything but ordinary. After graduating with degrees in Spanish and French, he ventured to Catalonia, where he spent over two decades teaching, writing travel books, and translating. His time in Grenoble, researching the French Resistance, and stints in the Basque Country and Madrid fueled his fascination with history and human resilience, laying the groundwork for his evocative novels.
Lloyd’s career began with travel writing, but a Literature Wales bursary in 2010 sparked his shift to crime fiction. His deep dive into European cultures and languages, paired with a love for old movies and 1920s French jazz, shaped his unique storytelling voice—a blend of grit, wit, and historical depth.
Chris Lloyd’s Unforgettable Stories
Lloyd’s novels are like a time machine, dropping readers into richly detailed worlds. His Occupation series, starring Detective Eddie Giral, a morally complex French policeman in Nazi-occupied Paris, is a standout. The Unwanted Dead (2020), the series’ debut, won the HWA Gold Crown Award, plunging readers into 1940 Paris as Eddie investigates murders amid war’s chaos. Paris Requiem (2023), a Sunday Times favorite, deepens Eddie’s struggle between collaboration and resistance, while Banquet of Beggars (2024) explores the black market’s deadly underbelly.
Equally compelling is his Elisenda Domènech trilogy, set in present-day Girona, Catalonia. City of Good Death (2015) introduces Elisenda, a fierce police officer tackling a killer who uses local myths to stage crimes. City of Buried Ghosts (2016) and City of Drowned Souls (2017) weave Catalan culture with dark mysteries, showcasing Lloyd’s knack for vivid settings and psychological depth.
Lloyd’s style is a masterclass in balance—gritty yet elegant, with characters who feel real and plots that hum with menace. His meticulous research brings history to life, whether it’s the ration lines of wartime Paris or Girona’s legend-soaked streets, making every page a thrilling escape.
Why Chris Lloyd Matters
Chris Lloyd’s work transcends typical crime fiction, offering a lens into the moral complexities of war and culture. His Occupation series captures the psychological toll of Nazi occupation, earning praise for its nuance and authenticity. Meanwhile, his Catalan novels celebrate and scrutinize regional identity, resonating with readers globally. As a member of Crime Cymru, Lloyd has also helped elevate Welsh crime fiction, co-organizing Wales’ first international crime festival in Aberystwyth in 2023.
His ability to craft flawed, relatable heroes like Eddie Giral and Elisenda Domènech has built a loyal readership, while his awards and critical acclaim cement his place in historical crime fiction. Lloyd’s stories don’t just entertain—they make you think, feel, and crave more.
- Born: South Wales, in an ambulance
- Key Works: The Unwanted Dead, Paris Requiem, Banquet of Beggars, City of Good Death
- Awards: HWA Gold Crown Award for The Unwanted Dead
- Fun Fact: Lloyd’s love for 1920s French jazz inspires his Occupation series’ atmosphere.
Snag The Unwanted Dead and dive into Chris Lloyd’s thrilling world of crime and history!