Press Kit

David is the author of the Major Gask Mysteries series which has received 5 star awards from reviewers at Readers' Choice and the Historical Novel Society amongst others. He also wrote the two volume Helots' Tale series, a true story about the transportation of two teenagers from England to Tasmania in the early 19th century which has received 5 star reviews and was selected by the Female Factory (the prison that held female convicts) in Hobart Australia for their in-house library and bookstore. His book, Bushranger Gold, was a spinoff novel - a true story about the 'Great Train Robbery' of its time in the Australian goldfields.

An expert on 19th century western society history, he has spoken on podcasts and at libraries and museums.

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Biography

David Cairns, the Baron of Finavon, is a successful entrepreneur turned author who has long been fascinated by history – and what it teaches us about the world we live in and shape today. He has travelled extensively and has lived on four continents, drawing upon these experiences to colour his stories, bringing atmosphere and depth to each of his novels. He currently makes his home on the Gold Coast of Australia.

Books

The Case of the Hydegild Sacrifice

The Case of the Beth-el Stone

The Case of the Wandering Corpse (Major Gask Mysteries Book 2)

The Case of the Emigrant Niece

Downfall

Redemption

Bushranger Gold: The McIvor Gold Escort Robbery

Other Writing

Five of the Best Books by Pre-Modern* Scottish Novelists (*Authors born before WWI)

When Medicine Becomes Mind Control

A Voyage Around Sherlock Holmes

Incorporating Real Events into Mystery Novels

Following a Victorian Trail from Edinburgh to Washington

Media Coverage

Issue 111 (February 2025)

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Writing Historical Fiction

https://awriterofhistory.com/2026/01/29/historical-mysteries-a-follow-up/

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Other Information

David is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in the UK and a Fellow of the CPA's in Australia. He graduated with an MBA from Cranfield University, England. He had a successful career in the technology space, having taken two software companies public on NASDAQ (one with a $2 Bn market capitalization) and was CEO of a logistics software company that was sold to Oracle for $100m amongst other ventures. An active author, he currently serves as Vice Chairman of Software Australia.

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