Michael Francis Gilbert was born in Billinghay, Lincolnshire. After leaving school he decided to read law but due to lack of funds he had to teach at a preparatory school in Salisbury, while studying at London University. In 1938 he joined a firm of solicitors. To bring in some extra money, he had the idea to write a detective story. He was however called up at the outbreak of World War II. In 1943 he was captured by the Germans in North Africa. He managed to escape but was recaptured and sent to a P.O.W. camp in Italy. In 1943 he was released and rejoined his regiment. Soon after the war he qualified as a solicitor. In 1947 he joined the firm of Trower, Still and Keeling and shortly afterwards married one of the firm's secretaries, Roberta Mary Marsden. That year also saw the publication of his first crime novel. In 1952 he became a partner in the firm. In 1960 he became legal adviser to the Goverment of Bahrain. In 1983 he retired from the law. He is the creator of:
1. 'Daniel John Calder and Samuel Behrens', counter-intelligence agents.
2. 'Inspector Hazlerigg', a Scotland Yard detective.
3. 'Luke Pagan and Joe Narrabone', counter-intelligence agents.
4. 'Patrick Petrella', a police officer with the London Metropolitan Police.