Pavlou, Stel 1970–

PERSONAL: Born November 22, 1970, in Kent, England. Education: Attended the University of Liverpool and Liverpool Hope University.

ADDRESSES: Agent—Ed Victor Ltd., 6 Bayley Sq., London WC1B 3HB, England.

CAREER: Writer. Has worked as a novelist, short-story writer and screenwriter. Military service: Served in the Greek Army.

WRITINGS:

The 51st State (screenplay), Sony Pictures, 2001.

Decipher (novel), Thomas Dunne Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Gene (novel), Gardners Books (Eastbourne, England), 2005.

Author of short stories.

SIDELIGHTS: British author Stel Pavlou writes novels and short stories, often in the fantasy and thriller genres. He also wrote the screenplay for the movie The 51st State, also known as Formula 51, which starred Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Carlyle.

In 2002, Pavlou published his first novel, Decipher. The book begins in 2012, when a team of oil drillers discovers carbon 60, a superior and extremely rare energy source, in Antarctica. Radiation under the ice also signals the awakening of alien forces. A group of scientists realize they only have one week to destroy the extraterrestrial threat. Lost civilizations and religions, including Atlantis, Zoroastrianism, and the Aztecs, play a role in the book.

Overall, critics responded positively to Decipher. Many critics found that Pavlou's fast pace and continuous action propelled the novel forward. The author has written a "semiprecious page-turner," wrote Library Journal contributor Jeff Ayers. Others found Pavlou's novel to be a welcome addition to the science fiction genre, one that makes for a fast and fun read. Decipher is an "action packed modern day science fiction thriller," commented Harriet Klausner in a review for AllReaders.com.

Pavlou is also the author of the 2005 book Gene, a historical fantasy novel that follows detective James North after he is injected with a hallucinogenic serum during a hostage situation.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 2002, review of Decipher, p. 986.

Library Journal, September 1, 2002, Jeff Ayers, review of Decipher, p. 215.

Publishers Weekly, August 26, 2002, review of Decipher, p. 49.

ONLINE

AllReaders.com, http://www.allreaders.com/ (March 1, 2006), Harriet Klausner, review of Decipher.

Internet Movie Database, http://www.imdb.com/ (March 1, 2006), background information on Stel Pavlou.

Stel Pavlou Home Page, http://www.stelpavlou.com (March 1, 2006).