Rhys Dylan Bio

Born and raised in a mining village in the Swansea Valley in Wales, Dylan Jones was offered a place at medical school in London upon finishing his secondary schooling. In 1979 he qualified as an ophthalmologist and worked as a consultant for the NHS for many years.

While medicine followed, he published his first books in the nineties. Two of those books were filmed by the BBC, and in 2011 those two books, The Natalie Vine series, were published as ebooks.

As he turned more to writing, he has dabbled in children’s books an a contemporary adult fantasy series (in the same vein as Terry Pratchett), but has turned back to crime, publishing the extensive DI Evan Warlow series.

DCI Evan Warlow

As the central character in the crime thriller series, DCI Warlow is the lead detective whose investigations drive the narrative. Evan isn’t just a detective you follow; you tend to get a little obsessed with him. As a retired detective, he is instinct driven, complex and morally grounded. DCI Evan Warlow believes in upholding justice and integrity, always guided by a strong moral compass. He is often the original investigator on cold cases, uncovering long-standing mysteries that others have failed to solve. Past cases and dark events continue to haunt Warlow, affecting him psychologically and adding depth to his character.

Set largely in rural and coastal Wales, readers will get a sense of isolated villages, harsh landscapes and communities hiding secrets. The discovery of harrowing remains at crime scenes emphasises the emotional and disturbing nature of Warlow’s cases, as he relentlessly pursues elusive killers and works to solve the mysteries that threaten the peace of the Welsh countryside.

Pen names

Jones uses several pen names across his books depending on the genre and the audience. Under the Dylan Young pen name, he wrote the Anna Gwynne series and three standalone novels, and under D.C Farmer he wrote the Hipposync Archives, an urban fantasy crime series.

Under Rhys A Jones, he wrote teen series The Merryweathers Mysteries and the Artefact series; and of course under Rhys Dylan there is the DCI Evan Warlow series.

Finally under his name, Dylan Jones, he wrote the Natalie Vine mystery series and the standalone Unnatural Acts and Thicker Than Water. Thicker Than Water was his first book and was made into a two-part film for the BBC.

Rhys Dylan books in order

DCI Evan Warlow series

• The Engine House (2021)

• Caution Death At Work (2022)   

• Ice Cold Malice (2022)

• Suffer the Dead (2022)

• Gravely Concerned (2022)

• A Mark of Imperfection (2023)

• Burnt Echo (2023)

• A Body of Water (2023)

• Lines of Inquiry (2023)

• No One Near (2023)

• The Light Remains (2024)

• A Matter of Evidence (2024)

• The Last Throw (2024)

• Dragon’s Breath (2024)

• The Bowman (2025)

• One Less Snake (2025)

• A Word With the Dead (2025)

• Druid’s Moor (2025)

• Cross Cut (2026)

• Wilful Cruelty (2026) 

Other books under pen names

Detective Anna Gwynne books

• An Unpardonable Act (2018) aka The Silent Girls

• The Charterhouse Remains (2018) aka Blood Runs Cold

• The Severn Reckoning (2018) aka Before She Falls

Hipposync Archives books

• Fiends In High Places (2014) aka 400lb Gorilla

• The Ghoul On The Hill (2015) aka Frivolous Pursuits

• Blame It On The Bogey (Man) (2016) aka The Bewilderment

• Can’t Buy Me Blood (2024) aka Grume

• Troll Lotta Love (2017)

• Somewhere Ogre The Rainbow (2025)

The Merryweathers Mysteries books

• The Dreables (2011)

• The Curse of Borage-Doone (2012)

• The Curse of Ragman’s Hollow (2019)

• The Curse of Wihtlea Barrows (2019)

Artefact series

• The Obsidian Pebble (2011)

• The Beast of Seabourne (2014)

Standalone novels

• The Appointment (2019)

• The Operation (2020)

• Trauma (2020)

Writing style and reception

Rhys Dylan’s writing style is widely recognised for its immersive storytelling and gripping crime thriller plots. He masterfully blends dark humor with suspense, drawing readers into the atmospheric landscapes of West Wales, where much of the DCI Evan Warlow series unfolds. The bleak beauty of rural settings, combined with Dylan’s vivid descriptions, creates a haunting backdrop that amplifies the tension and mystery at the heart of his stories.

The DCI Evan Warlow series, in particular, has garnered acclaim for its intricate plots and well-developed characters. Readers are often captivated by Evan Warlow himself – a detective whose instincts and moral compass guide him through complex investigations. The series is praised for its ability to keep readers guessing, with unexpected twists and the gradual unveiling of the horrible truth behind each crime. Dylan’s skill in crafting multi-layered mysteries ensures that each book in the Warlow series stands out, while also contributing to a larger narrative arc that rewards those who follow the publication order.

Rhys Dylan’s versatility as an author is evident in his use of different pen names to explore a range of genres. As Dylan Young, he delivers the Detective Anna Gwynne books, which are celebrated for their psychological depth and compelling protagonists. Under other pen names, he has written the Merryweathers Mysteries books and the Artefact books, each series offering unique characters and inventive storylines. The Hipposync Archives books, meanwhile, showcase his talent for blending urban fantasy with crime fiction, further broadening his appeal.

Readers consistently praise Dylan’s ability to create suspenseful, tightly woven narratives that balance character-driven drama with the procedural elements of a classic crime thriller. His attention to detail and commitment to authentic settings make his stories resonate with fans of the genre. New books like “Cross Cut” and the upcoming “Wilful Cruelty” continue to attract attention, solidifying his reputation as a leading voice in contemporary crime fiction.

As Rhys Dylan continues to expand his bibliography, his fan base grows alongside his reputation for delivering compelling mysteries and unforgettable characters. Whether through the chilling investigations of DCI Evan Warlow, the psychological intrigue of Detective Anna Gwynne, or the imaginative worlds of his other series, Dylan’s writing remains a benchmark for quality and innovation in crime thriller literature.