Michael Leese

I am a former journalist who worked in Fleet Street for over 25 years, including 17 years at The London Evening Standard. I had always wanted to write a book, especially a crime or science fiction novel but with work, family life, and all the other excuses I never seemed to get around to it. Then in 2007 I went freelance and finally had time to sit down and write. I'd like to say it went smoothly, but it was very difficult. Finally, after many attempts, my first self-published book is Going Underground, a crime thriller featuring autistic investigator Jonathan Roper. Why an autistic investigator? Well, as the father of a profoundly autistic child I have long been exposed to people on the autistic spectrum. I'm not claiming to be an expert but I have come to appreciate many issues over the years. Where my son is concerned I have been amazed at the way he has found to communicate his needs and wishes even though he has very little spoken language. It emphasised to me how autistic people have to deal with a whole host of issues that the rest of us take for granted.

Jonathan Roper is a composite of the many different men and women I have met. I was also struck when reading an article about how many analysts at GCHQ are autistic; All of them working hard to keep the rest of us safe. And so my character developed into Roper: A complex and committed detective.