William Garner (born 1920, in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England - 2005) was an English thriller writer.[1]
Garner graduated from the University of Birmingham in 1941 with a BSc (with honors). He served with the Royal Air Force from 1941 to 1946, rising to the rank of flight lieutenant.[2]
He married Gwen Owen in 1944 while she was in the WAAF.[1] Their daughter Lesley Garner is the Daily Telegraph's self-help columnist.http://www.lesleygarner.com/who_am_i.htm [1]
He was public relations director for Monsanto Company, London, from 1949 to 1964, and for Massey Ferguson Ltd. (London office) from 1964 to 1966. He became a full-time writer in 1967.[2]
His early novels feature British spy Michael Jagger, a high-living, self-hating, risk-loving ex-agent (in disgrace).
Marghanita Laski writing in The Listener, called Garner "Our cleverest thriller writer".[3] The Observer believed Garner was "A novelist of stature who leaves his own distinctive imprint on the le Carré scene."[4] The Crime Writers' Association short-listed Rat's Alley for their Gold Dagger award.[5]
When asked to describe himself, Garner replied "Strongly motivated. Views on almost everything that matters. Views on what matters might differ from those of many."[2]
He is also the author of the article "Spies and sex make a puzzling mix", first published in The Observer in 1987.
Arthritis increasingly crippled Garner's hands later in life, preventing him from writing.[1]