A LOCAL author is set to release a new wartime mystery book with action taking place in and around Romsey.

Claire Gradidge, 68 of Chandlers Ford will launch her second murder mystery fiction book 'Treachery at Hursley Park' on October 14 with a book signing event to take place on October 23 at WHSmiths in Romsey.

Following the success of ‘The Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox’, the winning novel of the Richard & Judy Search for a Bestseller Competition 2019, Romsey born author and associate lecturer at the University of Winchester, has been awarded a contract deal with Bonnier Zaffre publishings.

The latest novel is a WWII mystery set in Romsey, Hursley and the surrounding villages.

Claire’s latest novel has received praise from some prestigious names such as Judy Finnigan, TV presenter, Ann Cleeves, award winning crime writer and Caz Frear, mystery fiction writer.

Claire was born and brought up in Romsey. Her parents farmed on land at Tadburn Meadows before moving just outside of the town. After a career as a nurse and a school librarian, she went to the University of Winchester to study Creative Writing.

She has been married for over 40 years to the boy she met at school, has two adult sons, a grandson and a collie dog called Rosie.

Graduating with a first-class honours BA in 2009, she continued at the university, gaining a PhD in January 2018.

As an associate lecturer for eight years, she teaches on the Creative Writing programme as well as leading a local adult education writing class.

Claire is also an active member of the creative writing community, a founding member of Chandlers Ford Writers and participates in local writing events, including as a judge for poetry and prose competitions, most recently for the 2021 Winchester Writing Festival.

Claire said: "Way way back I trained as a nurse but I've always been a writer. I used to get cross when people say it's a hobby. It's not, it's an obsession.

"I've tried to write everything but I've always like history. Crime fiction is one of my huge loves. I thought I would join up history and crime and I've always loved Romsey too so why not put them together?"

Claire's advice to other budding authors is: "It's never too late. It's been my ambition for donkey's years. For me, overnight success took about 40 years but you get there."

Treachery at Hursley Park will be on sale at WH Smith, Romsey from October 14 but Claire has advised anyone who purchases a book but would like to attend the book signing event later in the month to keep the receipt of purchase.