Bedfordshire journalist’s thrilling new crime novel
Added: (Tue Jul 25 2023)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Neil Root has built up a considerable reputation for publishing the facts.
His investigations into serial killers, major corruption and unsolved murders have earned him numerous places on non-fiction book prize shortlists.
But now the 51-year-old Bedfordshire journalist is hoping his imagination will earn him just as much success – and awards – with the publication of his first novel.
Although Neil has yet to commit to sequels to his debut crime novel, Shadowside, the response since its recent release – including a string of five-star reviews – is already providing encouragement.
He explained: “Whether Shadowside is the start of something or not we’ll have to wait and see - it really depends on the readers, but I would very much like to write more cases for the main character Harry Rose, if readers like him.
“Before Shadowside was published it was read by several people, including my partner, my agent and his colleague, a good friend, and even the accomplished crime novelist Martin Edwards - and the feedback so far has been very positive, thankfully.”
Shadowside is a thrilling and unpredictable historical novel set in the 1930s.
Perfectly paced with memorable characters and dark authentic detail, it follows the investigation of Fleet Street journalist Harry Rose as he attempts to find a missing girl.
His professional probing takes him from the streets of London to the Sunnyside institution on the south coast.
And that’s when the investigative journalist soon discovers that he is being drawn into a much bigger mystery.
Shadowside has been described by reviewers as ‘compelling’, ‘a treat’ and ‘a wonderful, atmospheric depiction of provincial England in the gloomy 1930s’.
Neil admits that his previous work on murderers and other criminals has helped him shape his own dark characters – and the setting has more than a passing resemblance to his old school.
He said: “I wouldn’t say the main characters are based on real people, but through my reading, research and writing over the years in the true crime genre, traits and characteristics of dangerous people have undoubtedly informed the character Edwin Castleton.
“My two earlier non-fiction books about Fleet Street crime journalists from the 1930s to the 1960s - Frenzy! and The Murder Gang - have also helped a great deal with my creation of Harry Rose.
“Sunnyside, where much of the novel is based, is a large Victorian mansion house with extensive grounds on the south coast of England, and is certainly inspired by a boarding school I attended.”
For more details, visit Amazon and search for Neil Root, where the paperback and Kindle formats of Shadowside are both available.
Notes to the editor
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