About Richard


Written in the spring of 2020

My name is Richard Tearle.

I was born in Muswell Hill, north London and but for a quirk of fate, might have gone to school with Ray and Dave Davies of the Kinks and also Rod Stewart.

I started work with the Ever Ready Co (GB) Ltd before moving to the Performing Right Society, collecting and distributing royalties on behalf of composers and publishers. After a short and unsuccessful venture into self-employment, I spent the last seventeen years of my working life as a Civil Servant, collecting autographs for the Government.

I am a frustrated Rock God and frustrated Tottenham Hotspur fan (Spur's fans will understand that) and, for my American friends, a follower of the New Orleans Saints. I love tennis to the point that I would take Wimbledon fortnight off work and hang up the 'Do Not Disturb' sign. I am huge music fan where my idols include Bonnie Raitt, The Kinks (of course!), Neil Diamond and Julie London.

I have lived in Highgate, Friern Barnet, Barnet, Margate, Ramsgate and am now seeing out my dotage in Lichfield. I have four children and an equal number of grandchildren.

Following retirement in 2013, I became involved in a 'new' Blog spot run by author Helen Hollick called 'Discovering Diamonds'. The concept was simple; to review Historical Fiction written, mostly, by 'Indie' authors who don't have the great publicity machines of mainstream publishing behind them. This has become a passion of mine; just as many will follow and unsigned band, I try to promote virtually unknown authors. Because of this, I have met (literally and virtually) many authors who I believe I can count as 'friends'. I have also read many really fabulous books that really deserve to be seen on the shelves of the big stores.

I began reading at an early age, lapping up the 'romances' of Henry Rider Haggard and Edgar Rice Burroughs, to name but two. Later I took to Ray Bradbury, Alexander Kent, Tolkien, David Gemmell, Joe Abercrombie and John Connolly. The way each of these told their tales impressed and inspired me. I hope those influences and diversity in subject show in my own writing.

To check out reviews of Indie Historical Fiction by me and many others equally as dedicated as I, please visit, follow and comment here:


Richard passed away in April 2021

Richard: The Norfolk Broads 2011
Photo © David Barratt who worked with Richard 
 at the Performing Right Society from 1968 to 1970