David Barnato was born in England in 1942 of Irish, Scottish, Welsh and English ancestry. He attended King James The First., school in Newport, Isle of Wight.

After extensive travelling around the world he started and sold several businesses including a publishing company, insurance brokerage and fi nally a debt advisory service based in a remote Scottish castle.

Rather than retire completely, he and his wife Jane decided to retire to South Africa and buy a farm and grow olives.

Despite fires and floods David and Jane won a silver award for their olive oil, but sadly Jane suffered strokes and died of a heart attack in 2010.

David’s passions are his five dogs, several of whom were rescued. He is also a great fan of opera and loves blues, especially when sung by Bessie Smith. He is now a full time writer.

When the Jacaranda Petals Fall, is David’s first novel.