INTERNATIONAL best seller Peter James has been named the “best crime author of all time”.

The Brighton-born author won the reader-voted poll of best writers of booksellers and newsagents WHSmith.

He beat Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and James Patterson to the top spot.

A spokesman for WHSmith said: “Peter James has effortlessly stolen the crown with an incredible number of votes.

“Best known for his Roy Grace novels, which have achieved seven consecutive UK Sunday Times number ones, James has won multiple awards and had many of his books adapted for TV and stage.”

Also honoured was fellow Brighton crime writer Bill Todd, known for his Danny Lancaster crime thrillers.