Colin turns over a new leaf

A Holbeach writer has had his first crime novel published.

Colin Mardell (73) started writing stories as a hobby after retiring following 30 years from working with the London Fire Brigade, but it was only during the COVID-19 lockdows that he started taking it seriously.

The dad of two and grandfather of three previously had his memories of working in the fire service published entitled Into Africa: Fire and Neglect.

Now his first crime novel has been released.

Keep Her Safe, published by BPS Books, tells of Army veteran Drew Parker joining a crack team hired to protect an English multi-millionaire and her daughter.

It’s been a labour of love for Colin.

“At the time I started writing I had no realistic thought that anybody would consider publishing anything I’d written,” he said. “I just wrote for the pleasure of doing it.

“Then, during the COVID lockdowns I found myself with so much time on my hands that writing became a practically full-time occupation.

“Last year, as an experiment as much as anything, I decided to put my toe in the water and offer a short autobiographical piece about an experience during my time in the fire service and when it was published it gave me the courage to see if I could do something with one of my fictional pieces.

“Many of the tales I’ve written were far too long for anybody to consider putting in print, but when I sat down to write a story with the intention of offering it for publication I found it easier to discipline myself.

“With help and brutal advice from a friend, himself a published author, I got through the editing process, and although I found restraining myself to a sensible word count a challenge I was happy with the end result.

“Keep Her Safe was my first attempt at writing a crime thriller, and reactions to it have been very encouraging, with a number of good reviews on Amazon.

“At present I am about halfway through the first draft of a second book in a similar genre. I have two or three other tales that I might consider trying to publish in the fullness of time, depending on response to this one.”

Keep Her Safe is available to buy from Amazon.