Biography & Awards
About the Author
Bryan wrote his first novel, Shaking Hands With The Devil in the late 1980’s, but when he and his agent failed to get it published, he decided that he was a failed writer. However, rediscovering and redrafting it years later it was finlly published 30 years after the first draft.
He has worked as a financial investigator, a mediator and made sound effects for BBC Radio. He is now a full time writer, also contributing regular theatre reviews for StageTalk and Bristol 24/7 magazines. He is a member of the Crime Writers Association, Society of Authors and Historical Writers Association.
An Old Tin Can is the first in a new black comedy crime series set in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Future titles are Dead On to be published later in 2025 and Never A Happy Ending. The recurrent themes are identity, murder and … biscuits.
He lives in Bristol with his wife and has two children in their twenties.
He likes nothing more than hanging around in a graveyard, which he thinks might come in handy one day.
Media And Posts
The latest Posts and Media from Bryan
Posts
GALLOWS HUMOUR -crime writing in the time of the troubles
Bryan wrote the following article for the Crime Writers Association magazine ‘Red Herrings’ about applying black comedy to serious subjects Writing historical crime fiction can
Questions asked at Launches:
Q: What connection do you have to Northern Ireland? A: I first visited Northern Ireland in the 1990s but I am an outsider. However, so
Media
Bryan in the Belfast Telegraph
This is my interview with Matt Wilson from the Belfast Telegraph Please click here to read the full article
Biscuits and the Troubles – irish news
I had a great chat with journalist Sophie Clarke from the Irish Times. Read the article here. https://www.irishnews.com/entertainment/biscuits-and-the-troubles-why-bristol-author-bryan-j-mason-decided-to-set-his-black-comedy-in-belfast-5PZLEOGUO5HLLERYWLFG6ALQTU/
Recent Events
warminster book ferstival 7 june crimefest may 15 - 18
Clifton LitFest 17 Nov
Film/TV Option for An Old Tin Can
talks and panels
I was delighted to take part in two panels during CrimeFest in May 2025 in Bristol. https://www.crimefest.com/
I moderated a fabulous panel titled ‘Walking The Mean Streets: Brit Grit’ with the fabulously talented and very funny Caro Ramsay as well as C V Chauhan, Tim Franks and H J Reed.
This was followed up by one moderated by my chum Orlando Murrin called ‘Shafts of Light: Finding Humour in the Worste Moments’ which suited my brand of black comedy crime. I was honoured to join Cathy Ace, Ajay Chowdhury and A J Hill.
Although this was sadly billed as the last ever CrimeFest in its current format, there is some hope on the horizon. I met so many lovely readers, bloggers and writers and made some new friends. See below for some shameless hobnobbing with none other than Lee Child, who graciously accepted a copy of An Old Tin Can.
I am taking part in the National Crime Reading Month, appearing at the inaugural Warminster Book Festival on 7 June,where I have a whole hour slot. Expect some readings, fun and laughter on the subjects of Motive, Opportunity, Location and … Biscuits. https://www.warminsterbookfestival.co.uk/
I was part of a ‘Scene of the Crime‘ panel at the prestigious Clifton LitFest in November 2024. I joined the very talented, and best-selling authors, Emily Koch (If I Die Before I Wake), Gilly MacMillan (The Fall) and the wonderful Jade Chandler from Baskerville publishers.
As well as cracking a few jokes, we discussed the importance of place, which is fundamental to my Harry and The Squad novels set in Northern Ireland.
DEAD ON
PUBLICATION DATE
COVER REVEAL TO FOLLOW
And I am looking forward to returning to Northern Ireland in 2025 for a working holiday, while I finish the third in the Harry and The Squad series, Never A Happy Ending. I can’t say much except that it doesn’t end well for someone!
TV / FILM OPTION
Finally, I am pleased to announce that I have signed a Film/TV option with a screenplay writer for An Old Tin Can. this is exciting news and I will share news of progress.