Educated as a journalist, in 1977 he started working in Spain as a freelance journalist for Danmarks Radio. In 1980 he began covering Soviet news with frequent news reports to Danmarks Radio from Russia. From 1984 to 1988 he was stationed in Moscow. As a journalist he has travelled extensively around the world. When Davidsen returned to Denmark he became chief editor of Danmarks Radio's foreign news desk. From 1996 he edited a TV series called “Danish Dream” about Denmark today. In 1991 he won the Danish booksellers award De Gyldne Laurbær (The Golden Laurel) for his book Den sidste spion.[1] In 1999, he became a full-time writer.

Leif Davidsen (f. 1950) er uddannet journalist og fra 1984-1988 DR´s korrespondent i Moskva. Har rejst over det meste af verden som udenrigskorrespondent. Han debuterede som forfatter i 1984 og har udgivet en rejsebog, to novellesamlinger og elleve romaner, der er oversat til femten sprog. Leif Davidsen er en af Danmarks mest populære og læste forfattere.