We remember the prolific author who gave us Jenny Parker, Tyrant, Sol, and the arachnophobe droid Spider.

The world is split between those who have read his work, and those who have not. Though the former deserve congratulations for being so discerning, the latter have the joy of anticipating their new favourite writer.

His writing is observant, immediate and urgent, it is spiked with irony and laced with humour. Whether shouting into the rainswept skies of Manchester, or echoing through the void of space, his characters speak with the wisdom of Chandler and the folly of Vonnegut.

Start with the gritty northern thriller Due Diligence _and hurry on to the majestic space opera _Anomaly, you’ll be glad you did.