Sue Prideaux was born in England but baptized in Norway. Her life has zigzagged between the two countries ever since. Her godmother was painted by Munch and her family were his neighbours and supporters. She completed her education and training as an art historian in Florence, Paris and London. Her close links to Norway continue and one of her most successful novels, Magnetic North, is largely set there.

Edvard Munch: Behind the Scream is her first biography. It was prompted by the thought, 'Everyone knows the painting; nobody knows the man.' The last four years of her life, devoted to discovering the man behind the most haunting icon of the modern world, have proved so enjoyable that this is unlikely to be her last biography.