Shaun Baines, author of the Daniel Dayton thriller series, last month released Black Rock Manor – the first of the Holly Fleet books. And he said: “Black Rock Manor follows Holly Fleet, an insecure, but resilient journalist as she investigates the disappearance of a pensioner, who was protesting against a corporation threatening to demolish their Northumbrian village when she went missing.
“I live in Lockerbie and spent my childhood holidays in Northumberland. One of my first memories is of staying at a caravan park in Amble – a place that features in the book.
“I was drawn to Northumberland’s countryside, which is where I set Holly Fleet’s fictional village of Little Belton.”
Last year Shaun started to feel he did not want to write about betrayal and conflict and so began writing something fun and intriguing. He said: “I wanted to write a book that would transport people away from their problems.”
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, his wife lost her job, his family was under lockdown and friends were suffering from financial difficulties. Shaun said: “It seemed apt to release my book during these troubling times. Many of us are anxious – including myself – and our focus is on weightier things. The end of lockdown may be in sight, but I feel we’ll be feeling its effects for a long time to come.
“I’m hoping Black Rock Manor will be a welcome distraction from the strain we are currently under.”
Black Rock Manor is available from Amazon as an ebook and paperback.
