Picture a British storyteller who swapped royal gossip for seaside mysteries—meet T.P. Fielden! Under this pen name, Christopher Wilson crafts cozy crime novels that whisk readers to the charming, fictional town of Temple Regis, Devon. Known for the Miss Dimont mystery series, Fielden blends his journalistic knack for detail with a playful nod to the golden age of detective fiction.
With a career spanning Fleet Street columns and royal biographies, Fielden’s pivot to fiction feels like a natural encore. His stories, set in the nostalgic 1950s, brim with quirky characters and clever plots, making him a hidden gem for fans of Agatha Christie and vintage whodunits.
The Making of T.P. Fielden
Born in 1947 in Lancashire, Christopher Wilson—aka T.P. Fielden—grew up with a naval officer father and a knack for storytelling. Educated at Bedford Modern School, he dove into journalism, starting at the Bedfordshire Times before climbing to prestigious roles at the Sunday Telegraph, Daily Mail, and Daily Express. His stints as a diplomatic correspondent and gossip columnist honed a sharp eye for human quirks, later fueling his fiction. Fielden’s pen name honors his ancestors: T.P. from his great-grandfather and Fielden from his grandfather.
After decades covering British royalty and penning biographies on figures like Princess Diana and Camilla Parker Bowles, Fielden settled in Devon. This seaside haven inspired the vivid settings of his novels, where the salty air and small-town intrigues come alive.
T.P. Fielden’s Unforgettable Stories
Fielden’s Miss Dimont mystery series, launched in 2017, stars Judy Dimont, a corkscrew-haired reporter for The Riviera Express. Set in the picturesque Temple Regis, these novels capture the 1950s with a retro-feminist twist. In The Riviera Express, Judy investigates the murder of a movie star on a train, unraveling secrets with her trusty moped, Herbert. Resort to Murder follows with a body on Devon’s beaches, weaving rock ‘n’ roll and women’s rights into the plot.
A Quarter Past Dead dives into a holiday camp murder, while Died and Gone to Devon tackles political intrigue at a lighthouse. Fielden’s style is cozy yet sharp, blending humor, eccentric locals, and complex mysteries. His journalistic background shines in vivid descriptions and authentic dialogue, while his love for Devon—down to the tabby cat Mulligatawny, inspired by his pet Cato—grounds the series in heartfelt detail.
Beyond Miss Dimont, Fielden’s Guy Harford trilogy, starting with Stealing the Crown, explores wartime Buckingham Palace through a painter-turned-spy. These novels showcase his royal expertise, offering a darker, more intricate take on historical crime.
Why T.P. Fielden Matters
T.P. Fielden’s work revives the golden age of mystery with a modern sensibility, celebrating strong female leads like Judy Dimont and the evolving role of women post-war. His novels are a love letter to Devon, capturing its beauty and quirks while delivering satisfying puzzles. Critics praise his “unashamedly cozy” tales, with outlets like The Guardian and Daily Express lauding his clever heroines and nostalgic charm.
For readers craving escapist crime with wit and heart, Fielden’s stories offer a delightful retreat. His shift from royal biographer to novelist proves storytelling knows no bounds, inspiring aspiring writers to weave their own experiences into fiction.
- Born: 1947, Lancashire, England
- Key Works: The Riviera Express, Resort to Murder, A Quarter Past Dead, Died and Gone to Devon, Stealing the Crown
- Fun Fact: Judy Dimont was inspired by a real-life reporter named Judy, known for her ever-present smile.
Snag The Riviera Express and dive into T.P. Fielden’s cozy crime world—your next seaside mystery awaits!