Alan Evans was born in 1930 in Sunderland. He is an enthralling writer of First and Second World War adventure thrillers, mainly based on naval battles. Carefully researched, and with his own experience of active service, he skilfully evokes the tension and terror of war. Many of the figures and events are based on real-life models. His best-known character is Commander David Cochrane Smith, a maverick First World War sea captain. The protagonist of six of Evans' novels, he has to battle against the highly sceptical Admiralty as well as seemingly impossible odds in order to triumph. Evans' style is pacey and gripping, and in addition to his popular books for adults, he counts three adventure novels for children amongst his credits.