Behind the pseudonym Mark Dewar lies a writing combination (Mark Heywood and Peter Dewar) specialising in historical crime fiction.

Mark Dewar has a fascination for Spain in the time of the Moors, Al Andalus, and for murder most foul. The Cordoba series explores this fascinating period in Spanish history and its finely balanced political situation and threat of imminent war with Baghdad. The absorbing rituals of daily life are played out amongst tightly plotted murder mystery investigations.

The first book in the series was shortlisted for the 2008 Crime Writers Association Debut Dagger Award. In 2012 it was published in Spanish as 'Final de Partida en Cordoba' and in 2014 it was published in English as 'Checkmate'.