Member Article

Local professor shines in literary world despite cancer

DESPITE suffering from incurable cancer, a former Durham University professor is on his way to publishing success with the launch of two international political thrillers, The Potomac Plot and The Corcovado Conspiracy.

Robert Williams taught Politics and Corruption at both York and Durham University excelling in his field, and travelling as far as Australia, China, Canada and the States to deliver his informative lectures. He has worked with several governments and international agencies as an anti-corruption consultant, as well as undertaking research in Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

In 2012, he was tragically diagnosed with prostate and bone cancer and decided now was the time to fulfil his lifelong dream and write thriller novels.

The Corcovado Conspiracy and The Potomac Plot are written using a pseudonym, Jack Carey. He chose this name in honour of the great storytellers in his family, his grandfather and his mother. Both books are available to download now from the Amazon Kindle store.

He said: “I have been fortunate enough to see a lot of the world and privileged to have enjoyed great professional success. In addition, I have given a good deal of time to public service and also been a volunteer for a variety of causes. Now I believe it’s my last chance to carve out the writing life for myself that I have always wanted”.

“Ever since I was young I have been fascinated by conspiracy theories, it is partly what inspired me to study Politics at University and teach about Corruption. Having written a lot of dry academic publications, this venture into exciting story-telling was a completely different process and I loved it. For me, it’s a form of escapism as I get lost in my writing so it allows me temporarily to forget about my cancer.

“Obviously my cancer is very serious but everyone knows that we all have to die at some point so being diagnosed was just the kick I needed to push me onto this path, a path I thoroughly enjoy. If you’re doing something you feel passionate about then the disease becomes an afterthought and your life can be rich and fulfilling.

“I am hoping that the books do well in the digital format but to see my books stocked in local bookstores really would be a dream come true.”

Robert is already working on his third Jack Carey thriller, The Cape Town Connection, which is due for release next year.

Both Jack Carey’s novels are available for download from Amazon or on: www.jack-carey.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jodie Balmer .