James Oswald is a Scottish writer and farmer who has written the Inspector McLean and (as J. D. Oswald) The Ballad of Sir Benfro series of novels.
He initially self-published his books but later was published by Penguin Books. Since 2018, he has been published by Wildfire, an imprint of the Headline Publishing Group, where he has continued the Inspector McLean series and introduced a new series character Constance Fairchild.
His brother is the playwright Peter Oswald. His maternal grandfather was churchman and writer Patrick McLaughlin.
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Early life
Oswald was born a son of farmer and stockbroker Peter David Hamilton Oswald and Juliet (née McLaughlin). His uncle was Sir Julian Oswald, First Sea Lord from 1989 to 1993. The Oswalds were landed gentry, of Cavens, Dumfries, and Auchincruive (now named "Oswald Hall"), South Ayrshire, Scotland, descending from merchant George Oswald, Rector of the University of Glasgow from 1797 to 1799,
Novels
Inspector McLean series
Inspector Anthony McLean is a detective in the Lothian and Borders Police force, stationed in Edinburgh.
Farming
He runs a livestock farm in North East Fife, where he raises Highland cattle.