Candidate Profile

THE CRUISE SHIP ENRICHMENT NETWORK
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EXPERTISE
Author / Writer
Creative Writing
Criminology & Law Enforcement
Extraordinary Lives & Famous People
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH:
BIOGRAPHY
David McCaddon is an author of modern Crime thriller novels and an award winning playwright. Before retiring in 2017 to concentrate on his crime novel writing, David was an IT systems specialist who had worked in computing for over 47 years primarily as a programmer and had spent the past 35 years specialising in Police and Prison investigative systems worldwide.

His work has involved him working in many Police major incident rooms worldwide and he has been responsible for developing investigative systems throughout a large number of the UK’s Police forces and worldwide.
He now devotes most of his time as an entertaining enrichment speaker on a range of subjects including crime and technology related topics. His crime trilogy which is set in the North West has now been fully published and has received great reviews.

His latest murder mystery “A Question of Time” which is set in the sixties has also been recently published.

Since 2016 David has been much in demand as a guest speaker to a large number of organisations including Rotary Clubs, Probus, Womens Institute, Masonic Lodges and the University of the Third Age. He is also available as a creative writing workshop host.




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PRESENTATIONS

ENRICHMENT PRESENTATIONS

The Life and Crimes of Agatha Christie
A fascinating talk and a look at the remarkable career of the most popular crime novelist of all times – Agatha Christie the indisputable “Queen of Crime”. David looks at her early life, her own real-life mystery disappearance and the creation of many of her characters including Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.

Agatha Christie and the influence of the Mediterranean
Agatha Christie loved travelling and the crime writer’s life was full of mystery and adventure, her novels even more so. This talk takes a closer look at the Mediterranean destinations that shaped the life and inspired the works of the legendary Queen of Crime.

The Secret of Treasure Island
Join David as he looks at how this classic Robert Louis Stevenson novel was created. Inspired by real pirates and hidden treasure but where is the location that is described so accurately in the novel? This talk which will appeal to all ages is informative, humorous and entertaining.

Costa Del Crime – the end of an era?
The end of the era when British criminals on the run can find sanctuary on Spain’s southern ‘Costas’ is now a reality. This talk looks at the changes that have happened since those days when some of the villains from a number of high profile cases including the Great Train Robbery & the Brink’s Mat Robbery attempted to escape there. There are quite a few surprises when comparing some of the crimes spanning the last 6 decades

Avoiding Cyber Crime – the Pitfalls, Dangers and Scams
The Internet plays an increasingly important role in our lives today but using this resource should be used with care. This popular talk considers the pitfalls, dangers and modern scams and how to overcome them.

Where's the whodunit button? - A Life in Crime with Police overseas
The demand for Crime Investigation solutions is as great worldwide as it is in the UK. David has worked with Police forces in many countries worldwide including Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Botswana, USA and Canada. This talk shares his experience and some of the more humorous moments he encountered in working abroad.

The Life & Times of Hercule Poirot
This talk looks at the life and times of Hercule Poirot, the dapper moustache-twirling Belgian detective. David delves into those little grey cells and considers the creation and the background behind one of Agatha Christie's most famous characters. Yet despite being familiar to millions Poirot himself has remained somewhat of an enigma – until now.

A Study in Sherlock
This entertaining talk looks at the creation and background of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Who is the character based on and who was Moriarty? Who is considered to be the most authentic Sherlock Holmes actor and who was possibly the worst? Why did Conan Doyle try to kill him off? All these questions are considered and many more are revealed. This illustrated talk provides a fascinating insight into one of the world's most famous detectives in books, film and television.

Hans Christian Andersen – the fairy tale of his life
One of the great figures of world literature, the Danish author renowned for his children’s tales. Yet comparatively little is known of his rise from poverty. He once said “To travel is to live” and this fascinating talk looks at his worldwide travels, the background of his career, his stories and how his works have reached all corners of the globe.

The Mystery of St.Kilda - the island on the edge of the world
The archipelago of St Kilda is an extreme Atlantic outpost, and is one of the few World Heritage Sites in existence which has been awarded dual status for meeting both the natural and cultural criteria for the classification. This fascinating talk looks at the history of the people on St.Kilda, how they survived on this beautiful island in the North Atlantic ocean before their final evacuation to the Scottish mainland in 1930.

The Golden Age of Murder
A look at a real-life detective story, investigating how a number of famous crime writers including Agatha Christie formed a mysterious literary writers club setting puzzles and transforming crime fiction in the process. Their work casting new light on unsolved murders whilst hiding clues to their own innermost darkest secrets and their complex private lives.

Exploring Nordic Noir from the Happiest Countries in the World
A talk which looks at the amazing global appeal in Nordic Crime Fiction. Yet once again the Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland reign supreme and appear in the top 10 list of happiest countries in the world.

Thank you for the Music – the history of ABBA
A look at the creation of this most famous Swedish band, their backgrounds, early careers, how they first met and the ABBA museum at Stockholm. The stories behind some of their biggest hits such as the event which inspired their hit ‘The Winner Takes it All’

The History of Fred Olsen
David has cruised with Fred Olsen many times and his talk looks at the fascinating history of the Fred Olsen family business which exceeds 170 years of seafaring heritage. Since it's origins back in 1848 the company has gone from strength to strength, sailing cargo vessels and cruise ships around the world. This talk in particular looks at the Fred Olsen links with La Gomera and the Canary Islands.

Barnum & Bailey – the real story of the greatest show on earth
This talk looks at the history of this world famous circus, the struggles and the triumphs, the successes and the failures. Examining the origins and the background of the people involved, the world tours and the merger into the most famous circus of all. Some may know the background of P.T.Barnum but how many know the life of his partner James Anthony Bailey and his wife Ruth McCaddon who inherited the circus?

The making of “It’s a Wonderful Life”
David looks into the story behind one of cinema’s greatest Christmas films and how it was made in the summer of 1946. Revisiting Bedford Falls, the creation of the film set and the casting choices that Frank Capra considered as the Director of this well loved festive film.

Merry Christmas Mr Dickens
This festive talk tells the story of Charles Dicken's amazing life and how he came to write the novella, 'A Christmas Carol' back in 1843. The book was written in a very short timescale and inspired by aspects of the Victorian Christmas that have continued to this very day. The talk looks at the many TV, film and stage versions that have been created from this popular story.
CRUISE HISTORY / EXPERIENCE
David McCaddon is an enthusiastic speaker and has travelled the world extensively over the past four decades. He has been a guest speaker on a number of cruise lines including CELEBRITY, PRINCESS, FRED OLSEN and SAGA.

Before retiring in 2017 to concentrate on his crime and playwriting he’d worked in Computing for almost 50 years and spent the past 35 years as a Police systems specialist worldwide. His career is almost unique, you could say he’s had “a life of crime”. This has involved him working with Police forces in many countries worldwide on high profile major incident investigations. This experience has inspired his own crime novel writing.

As a published author of Crime novels and an award winning playwright he excels in looking forward to meeting the audience and is always delighted to host book signing events on the ships or hosting cruise passengers in Creative Writing workshops.

He is an enthusiastic speaker who engages with the audience in a relaxed, entertaining, informative and friendly style. He loves meeting the audience whether directly after a presentation or as an informal host at lunch/breakfast forums. When not at sea he is regularly in demand to present at various organisations including W.I, Probus, Rotary, supper clubs etc. His enrichment talks are always well attended and frequently requested.
ADDITIONAL RELEVANT INFORMATION
WORKSHOPS
in addition to guest speaking David is also available to host and facilitate a series of Creative Writing workshop classes
RECENT PAST CRUISES COMPLETED
The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.
SHIP REF CRUISE DESCRIPTION NIGHTS SAILING FROM DEPARTURE DATE
Bolette T2330
Sector 7
The Intrepid Beauty of Africa & the Indian Ocean 8 Dakar Monday, February 12, 2024
Bolette T2330
Sector 6
The Intrepid Beauty of Africa & the Indian Ocean 16 Cape Town Saturday, January 27, 2024
Borealis S2325 Classic Christmas Markets 8 Liverpool Thursday, December 14, 2023
Island Princess 2319 12-Day Oktoberfest European Capitals 12 Southampton Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Regal Princess G323N 12-Day British Isles with Liverpool 12 Southampton Sunday, June 25, 2023
Balmoral L2311 Cultural Capitals, Kiel Canal & Stockholm 14 Southampton Friday, May 12, 2023
Sky Princess Y313 Spain, France & Portugal 14 Southampton Saturday, April 1, 2023
Emerald Princess E223Q 10-Day Canary Islands 10 Southampton Friday, October 28, 2022
Enchanted Princess N223P Canary Islands 10 Southampton Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Celebrity Beyond BE220721 Italian Riviera & France 9 Barcelona Thursday, July 21, 2022
Celebrity Beyond BE220711 Greek Islands & Malta 10 Civitavecchia (for Rome) Monday, July 11, 2022
Spirit of Adventure SU033 Flavours of Western France and Spain 14 Dover Sunday, October 10, 2021