K. J. Parker is a pseudonym for Tom Holt. He was born in London in 1961. At Oxford he studied bar billiards, ancient Greek agriculture and the care and feeding of small, temperamental Japanese motorcycle engines. These interests led him, perhaps inevitably, to qualify as a solicitor and emigrate to Somerset, where he specialised in death and taxes for seven years before going straight in 1995. He lives in Chard, Somerset, with his wife and daughter.
An intriguing tale of magic, manipulation and revenge . . . An action-packed adventure -- STARBURST on the Fencer trilogy Assassins, emperors, generals, rogues, farmboys-turned-hero - all the trappings of epic fantasy . . . [and] all the complexity you could ever desire -- PORNOKITSCH Skilful plotting and rich scene-setting -- GUARDIAN on THE COMPANY One of fantasy's premier voices -- SFX