Robert Barnard (1936–2013) was an English crime writer, critic, and lecturer. He was particularly renowned for his series of detective novels featuring the shrewd but curmudgeonly Yorkshire policeman Charlie Peace, as well as those starring the amateur sleuth Perry Trethowan. Barnard's works are known for their clever plotting, wit, and keen social observation. He also published several works of literary criticism and a biography of Emily Brontë. His crime fiction earned him numerous awards and a reputation as a master of the genre, with nods to the traditional mystery form while incorporating modern themes and a satirical edge.