I've read loads of his books. If you had spent ten minutes on it, you would have known he was an author
I did read quite a bit, but didnt pick up on that. I was deep into his wifes story and his holiday snaps.
Gotcha! Have you caught the 'local connection' http://www.thegeordieconnection.com/index1.html Few of them get in the Fox in Felling, great pub!