Keating, known as ‘Harry’ to friends and family, was born in St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex and typed out his first story at the age of eight. He was educated at Merchant Taylor’s School in London and later at Trinity College, Dublin. In 1956 he moved to London to work as a journalist on The Daily Telegraph and later was the crime books reviewer for The Times for 15 years, chairman of the Crime Writers’ Association (1970–1971), chairman of the Society of Authors (1983–1984), president of the Detection Club (1985–2000)as well as being a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
He received the George N. Dove Award in 1995 and a year later the CWA awarded him the Cartier Diamond Dagger for outstanding services to crime literature. He also wrote screenplays, and a biography of Dame Agatha Christie entitled Agatha Christie: First Lady of Crime. He died on 27th March 2011 at the age of 84.
Books by H. R. F. Keating
The Mystery of a Hansom Cab (Introduction)