K. J. Parker is a pen name used by British author Tom Holt (born 1961) for seventeen years before his identity was revealed in 2015; "K.J." honors a friend who taught Holt metalworking, and "Parker" is a literal pen name. Parker's fantasy novels, including Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City and the Engineer trilogy, are known for intricate plotting and a dry, cynical narrative voice.
