Francesca Weisman grew up in London, read English at Oxford, and worked as a secretary, tutor, political researcher and mental health worker before studying law.

For the past ten years, she has specialised in criminal defence work, working in some of London’s toughest neighbourhoods and dealing with cases that include murder and international fraud.

She is also the author of two novels published by Penguin: her debut psychological thriller, 'Nowhere’s Child', was chosen by The Independent as one of its top 50 summer reads for 2005, and her follow-up, 'The Shape of a Stranger', is out now.

She lives in North London with her partner and son.