Hi, I’m Ruth Thomason, though I write under the pen name RJ Verity.
I was born and raised in Yorkshire, studied at King’s College London, and went on to spend over twenty years working in financial services across Asia.
These days, I live in Guernsey with my endlessly patient husband and our ageing yet ever-spirited Labradinger. When I’m not writing or reading, I can often be found exploring the island’s rugged coastline.
I write character-led historical fiction: emotionally rich stories about ordinary people and the times that shape them. My trilogy, The Poole Legacy, follows three generations of one family across a century of change — from the coal-dust north and the golden age of cinema to the shifting, secretive world of 1960s London. The first book, Poole of Light, is out now. The second, Poole of Honour, publishes 15 September 2026 and is available to pre-order now.
This site is where I share the inspirations behind my stories and the quiet chaos of life. I’m glad you’re here.
Sign up to find out more about upcoming releases and free giveaways