Discover new books on Goodreads

See if your friends have read any of Alan Bayles's books

126 ratings | 82 reviews | avg rating:3.99

Alan’s Year In Books

Alan’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at Alan’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

Go to Alan’s 2025 Year in Books

Alan Bayles’s Followers (32)

Alan’s Bookshelves

to-read (3)
currently-reading (2)
read (127)
did-not-finish (0)

Alan’s Friends (12)

Nicola Doyle

3,111 books | 650 friends

Rebecca Crunden

3,171 books | 1,206 friends

Norah Alba

150 books | 5,001 friends

Emma :)

745 books | 146 friends

Jessica Scachetti

76 books | 1,768 friends

Book Hut

388 books | 35 friends

David Kingdom

70 books | 42 friends

Geoff Genge

173 books | 30 friends

More friends…

Alan Bayles

Goodreads Author

Born

in Hartlepool, The United Kingdom

Genre

Science Fiction

Member Since

April 2021

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/albay3037

edit data

My name is Alan Bayles and I was born in Hartlepool, England in 1970, along with my twin brother. We were both raised in Langley Park, Durham, England.

Then in 2004 I met the woman who would change my life forever - Monica. In 2005 I proposed to her, a short time after that I moved over to Northern Ireland to be with her. We were married in June 2007 and are still very happily married. We don’t have any pets or children (maybe that is a good thing, because according to my wife, I’m a still a child at heart!).

Much to my wife's dismay, I'm a huge science fiction and comics fan. Love all forms of sci-fi, from Star Trek, Doctor Who, Blake's 7 etc and I have been a massive Marvel comics fan for over 40 odd years. I am also a Sunderland AFC suppo My name is Alan Bayles and I was born in Hartlepool, England in 1970, along with my twin brother. We were both raised in Langley Park, Durham, England.

Then in 2004 I met the woman who would change my life forever - Monica. In 2005 I proposed to her, a short time after that I moved over to Northern Ireland to be with her. We were married in June 2007 and are still very happily married. We don’t have any pets or children (maybe that is a good thing, because according to my wife, I’m a still a child at heart!).

Much to my wife's dismay, I'm a huge science fiction and comics fan. Love all forms of sci-fi, from Star Trek, Doctor Who, Blake's 7 etc and I have been a massive Marvel comics fan for over 40 odd years. I am also a Sunderland AFC supporter, even though I am not able to get to the games I still proudly listen to them on the radio.

My fascination with books probably began when I was around 6 or 7 years of age. I blame my mum for this. She was a voracious reader and was a big fan of Catherine Cookson. One day she thought I appeared to enjoy reading comics (not just looking at the pictures), so she encouraged me to read by getting me my first library ticket.

The very first book I loaned from the library was Doctor Who and Death To The Daleks. After that I slowly moved onto reading some of the books my mum had. I have a fond memory of reading Catherine Cookson's The Fifteen Streets and enjoying it.

I love reading fantasy, science fiction, action & adventure, and thrillers. My favourite authors are Stephen King, James Herbert, Clive Cussler, Dean Koontz, Audrey Niffenegger and Neil Gaiman. But out of all the authors that I have mentioned above, the one who inspired me the most was James Herbert. I was around 10 or 11 when I first read James Herbert's The Rats and being so terrified by it, but still ended up reading the next book! His writing was so vivid and engrossing, to this day I still retain certain scenes in my head from that book.

I first started to write when I was 14, when I was given an assignment by my English Teacher to write a prologue for a story. Even though, I enjoyed the experience and wanted to write a book, I didn't think I was good enough and believed a person had to be highly educated to write a book, so I put it on the back burner. But that desire to be writer was always hammering away at my subconscious and it wasn't until I was approaching my 50th birthday, when I decided that I would write that book I had been putting off for so long. I felt if I wouldn't do it now, I may never do it, so I sat to down to write the story I had been putting off for 30 odd years.

And so, in April 2020 my love of fantasy and science fiction inspired me to write my first book – Double Jeopardy – an intense science fiction thriller and the first book in my Mirror Wars series – it just so happened to contain nods to some of my favourite authors, films and TV shows that have ignited my imagination over the years. I also used my “experiences” of being a twin to help me write about evil doppelgangers! I am proud to say that in June 2021, I proudly self-published my first book.

That was then followed up by Oracle’s Vision, the second book in my mirror wars series. It was released on 1st January 2024. Like Double Jeopardy, it is a science fiction thriller with a wee smidge of horror thrown in for good measure. The story follows on from Double Jeopardy and follows the antagonist, Oracle who was revealed towards the end of book one. She is an insane AI who has delusions of ruling over all organic life across the multiverse (hence the title). I have recently released the third book in my Mirror Wars tetrology – Realm Of Fear and I have recently just finished writing the fourth & final book of the series – The Custos Gambit (TBR April 2027).

Best wishes - or as the great Stan Lee used to say…

Excelsior!
...more

Learn more
Ask the Author

To ask Alan Bayles questions, please sign up.

Combine Editions
Alan Bayles’s books

Average rating: 4.38 · 87 ratings · 67 reviews · 3 distinct works • Similar authors

	Double Jeopardy (Mirror Wars Book 1) by Alan Bayles (Goodreads Author), Kate Chaparro (Editor) 4.39 avg rating — 51 ratings — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Oracle's Vision: The next thrilling chapter In the Mirror Wars saga 4.39 avg rating — 23 ratings — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Realm of Fear 4.31 avg rating — 13 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

1 post
Alan Bayles's Blog

Oracle's Vision - Mirror Wars Book 2

I had planned on releasing Oracle's Vision, the next book in my Mirror Wars series, on 1st January 2024. I wanted to my readers to have a chance of pre-ordering. People seem to be able to do that okay with the kindle version but for the physical copy, KDP won't allow me to set it as pre-order.

So as an early Christmas present to my readers, I have decided to make the paperback edition of Oracle's Read more of this blog post »

Like • 0 comments • flag

Published on December 10, 2023 11:25

Alan is Currently Reading

Alan Bayles is currently reading

Shotley Bridge Revenge: A British Female Crime Mystery featuring DC Heather Hudson (Shotley Bridge Thrillers Book 2)

by Bobby Cussens (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Sep 02, 2026 06:27AM

Alan Bayles is currently reading

The Count of Monte Cristo

by Alexandre Dumas

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Aug 07, 2024 08:38AM

rss
Alan’s Recent Updates

Alan Bayles is currently reading Shotley Bridge Revenge: A British Female Crime Mystery featuring DC Heather Hudson (Shotley Bridge Thrillers Book 2) by Bobby Cussens (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 02, 2026 06:27AM · like
Alan Bayles rated a book really liked it Clive Cussler's Fire Strike by Mike Maden (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 31, 2026 06:57AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Clive Cussler's Fire Strike by Mike Maden. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Clive Cussler's Fire Strike by Mike Maden <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Alan Bayles rated a book really liked it Clive Cussler's Hellburner by Mike Maden (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Out of all the Clive Cussler novels, I have always enjoyed the Oregon Files more than the Dirk Pitt series. There's always been something about the idea of mysterious ship sailing the seas with an expert crew going where others won't dare. Working in ...more
Aug 12, 2026 07:34AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Clive Cussler's Hellburner by Mike Maden. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Clive Cussler's Hellburner by Mike Maden <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Alan Bayles rated a book really liked it Babylon Confidential: A Memoir of Love, Sex, and Addiction by Claudia Christian	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Claudia Christian has always been a favourite of mine, ever since I first saw her in Babylon 5 many moons ago. She has always come across as very talented actor, so I when I came across this autography, it piqued my interest. Long before I started re ...more
Aug 12, 2026 06:10AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Babylon Confidential by Claudia Christian. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Babylon Confidential by Claudia Christian <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Alan Bayles liked Maxine's status update Maxine added a status update: I am going to start up a new Goodreads readers/authors group soon, possibly two with a different focus each. One definitely to connect authors with readers/reviewers. The other like a great online book club with a twist. Any other ideas? I’ll post here what it’s called once it’s set up. I hate that Goodreads took away direct messaging! I’ll email those of you whose details I have. ☺️
Jul 30, 2026 01:23AM
Alan Bayles is currently reading Clive Cussler's Hellburner by Mike Maden (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 29, 2026 06:43AM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Clive Cussler's Hellburner by Mike Maden. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Clive Cussler's Hellburner by Mike Maden <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Alan Bayles rated a book really liked it We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I was recently recommended this by a friend. I have to be honest, I wasn't totally aware of this book, so went in it blind. I think on hindsight I should have done a bit of research before reading this because I really struggled to finish it. It is a ...more
Jul 28, 2026 07:31AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Alan Bayles rated a book liked it Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
This is my first Harlan Coben book and one of the reasons I wanted to read it was because I noticed it was had also been written by Reese Witherspoon. The story focuses on Maggie, a surgeon who is undergoing tough time in her career. When she's offer ...more
Jul 12, 2026 02:25AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Alan Bayles rated a book it was ok Hannibal: (Hannibal Lecter) by Thomas Harris	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Ever had one of those moments where you felt you should have left well alone? Well, this how I felt after finishing this book. I really should have just read Silence Of The Lambs and left it there. It's probably the first time I have felt a mixture o ...more
Jul 07, 2026 08:33AM · like · see review
Alan Bayles rated a book really liked it The Martian by Andy Weir (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
I was unlucky not get The Martian when it was originally released, but I've listened to the audiobook many times. However, I was recently able to purchase the 15th anniversary edition. It is gorgeously on the outer edges of huge pages and some lovely ...more
Jun 10, 2026 06:24AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Martian by Andy Weir. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Martian by Andy Weir <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">