Adam Williams, whose family has lived in China since the late 19th century, was born and raised in Hong Kong. He is a businessman who for the last 18 years has been Chief Representative in Beijing for a Far East trading and services conglomerate. He was Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in China from 1996-98. His books include The Palace of Heavenly Pleasure, The Emperor's Bones, The Dragon's Tail, and The Book of the Alchemist. He is married to Fumei and has two children. He lives in Beijing, China.