Lee, who is a Visiting Professor at the University of Sheffield, has written 12 novels over his career and has already had Hollywood knocking on his door.

Tom Cruise's production company has bought movie rights to his books and his 12th novel, Nothing to Lose, went to number one in the New York Times hardback fiction list this year. It is the culmination of a breakthrough year in which he has also had the number one paperback in America and topped both charts in Britain.

Lee, 53, who studied Law at the University of Sheffield, is the creator of one of the most memorable crime fiction characters of all time, Jack Reacher. Reacher, a 6ft 5in tall and 220 pound ex army major, is an unattached loner. In Lee's 12 books Reacher becomes entangled with FBI serial killers, assassins, sadistic kidnappers and professional killers to mention a few – a character certainly capable of rivalling Bourne or Bond on the big screen.

During his visit to the University on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 November 2008, Lee will hold writing workshops for students in the School of English Literature, Language, and Linguistics. He will also take part in a question and answer session in conjunction with the Off the Shelf Festival and will host a book club to discuss his latest book Nothing to Lose.

Lee will also get a chance to tour his old University digs in Crookes and visit the University's Union of Students.

With fond memories of Sheffield, Lee is keen to return to the city. He met his wife Jane whilst studying at the University and his brother, who is also a writer, still lives in the city.

Lee said: "I am delighted to be returning to the University of Sheffield as a Visiting Professor. It will be an opportunity to engage with staff, students and members of the local community, as well a chance to visit some of my old haunts from my university days. I feel like I never really left Sheffield though. I have relatives in the city and whenever I visit I always feel at home."

Professor Dominic Shellard, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Affairs at the University of Sheffield, said:

"We feel extremely privileged to have Lee as a Visiting Professor and are very much looking forward to his visit. He is a modest, charming and inspirational character who has amazing literary talent. I am sure the staff, students and members of the local community who have the opportunity to meet Lee, or attend one of his talks, will be highly entertained by his life story and how he made his way from Sheffield graduate to best–selling author."



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