Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.If Keith Michel lived in the United States he might be as rich and famous as Scott Turow or John Grisham - lawyers who have enjoyed lucrative second careers as thriller writers. Instead, the City solicitor specialising in maritime law must content himself with the admiration of friends and colleagues and modest sales resulting from reviews in the specialist press.
But then he is probably too busy even for that. As well as writing three thrillers (the latest, Caracara, is published by Ashford, Buchan & Enright on 27 April) and working as a partner at Holman, Fenwick & Willan, one of London's leading international admiralty and maritime firms, Mr Michel (below) is a keen sportsman with a passion for wildlife conservation and interests in history, calligraphy and collecting lead soldiers.
The books, he says, grew out of the trend a few years ago for lawyers to write more articles about their work. "I was involved in a couple of interesting maritime cases which people thought would make good stories," he adds.
The first two - both with titles consciously beginning with the letter "c" - were written between 12.30 and 1.30am, after his wife and son had gone to bed. The demands of his son's homework led the latest to be created mostly on the 7.46am commuter train taking him from his Surrey home to his office. Notwithstanding this punishing schedule, 47-year-old Mr Michel is planning a fourth novel with a yet-to-be-decided title beginning with "c".
In the meantime, he is not missing out on his sport. A Cambridge football blue who was a member of the combined Oxbridge side that visited Japan in 1969, he still turns out regularly - most recently in the first over- forties Varsity Match. And when not playing football - or travelling all over the world - he is running.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments