Peter James (born 22 August 1948 in Brighton) is a British writer of crime fiction and film producer.
James is the son of Cornelia James, the former glovemaker to Queen Elizabeth II. He was educated at Charterhouse School and went on to Ravensbourne Film School. Subsequently he spent a couple of years in America, working as a screen writer and film producer. Today he divides his life between his home near Ditchling and his apartment in Notting Hill, London. His interests include criminology, science and the paranormal. He also enjoys motoring, having owned many cars over the years, most notably Jaguars and Aston Martins. Once a year he races, holding a racing driver's licence.
James has written 20 books, the most recent of which feature Brighton-based Detective Superintendent Roy Grace. This series has quickly become one of the most popular detective series ever, due to the combination of well thought-out plots and the interaction between recurring characters - such as the continuing attempts to update and stylise Roy Grace by his more streetwise and fashionable partner, Glen Branson. His books are translated in 29 languages. In England they are published by Pan Books and in the US by Carroll & Graf Publishers. James has written supernatural thrillers, spy fiction, and a children's novel, as well as the introductions for Graham Masterton's collection 'Manitou Man' and Joe Rattigan's collection 'Ghosts Far From Subtle'.
In 2005 The Merchant Of Venice, directed by Michael Radford and for which James was executive producer, had a Royal Premiere in the presence of Prince Charles and received a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Costume Design. In 2006 the film also won the Silver Ribbon for Best Production Design (Migliore Scenografia) from the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists.
In 2007 he made an appearance at the Festival International du Roman Noir in Frontignan, France.