A Mind Built for Darkness

Colin Peter Reardon was born in Haverhill, Suffolk, in October 1966. Growing up in a large family that moved often, he rarely stayed in one place long enough to put down roots — but stories became his constant home. From childhood, he was captivated by the paranormal, hanging on every word of other people’s unexplained experiences. His father’s own extraordinary tales, shared around the house with family and guests, only deepened this fascination and sparked a vivid imagination that would later fuel his writing.

For many years, Colin worked as a supporting artist and body double across film and television. Travelling to diverse locations — including numerous historic, character-filled buildings — he found himself surrounded by the kind of atmosphere that brings stories alive. These experiences reinforced his desire to write and see where his storytelling might lead.

Yet the path was not straightforward. Dyslexia made the physical act of writing a genuine challenge; Colin often struggled to translate his ideas onto the page and would set his work aside for long periods. It was his wife, Clare, whose unwavering belief and steady encouragement helped him push through every obstacle and finish his first book.

That milestone has given Colin a profound sense of purpose, and he is now enthusiastically at work on his next project. After living in Hastings, East Sussex for many years, Colin and Clare now make their home in Stockton-on-Tees.

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