Local author hopes his debut novel proves a page-turner for EACH

“The more books I sell, the more money I can donate to this wonderful charity”  

An author with a lifelong passion for story-telling hopes his debut novel raises valuable funds for charity.

Suffolk-based Tony Harris’s first book is a “thriller, mystery, whodunnit” called Suffolk’s Last Cold War Victim.

Available via Amazon, the novel centres around the eventful life of investigative reporter George Mitchell.

After an explosive turn of events, he is forced to build another life far removed from his London home and settles in the Suffolk countryside.

His village houses a treasure trove of diverse characters, each one with fascinating stories and dark secrets waiting to be unearthed by George.

Tony is thrilled with the finished product and proud to be donating 25% of all royalties to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

A further 25% is being donated to the Eden Rose Coppice Trust.

“I’m very proud and the writing process is something I definitely enjoyed,” said Tony, who lives in Rushmere St Andrew.

“My imagination flowed. Sometimes I’d sit down without much clue as to what I was going to write – and before I knew it I’d filled ten pages.

“In writing this book, I’ve fulfilled an ambition but my main objective is to raise as much as possible for two very special charities.

“The reason I chose EACH is because I used to live in Felixstowe Road, near The Treehouse.

“I’ve always been aware of the great work the charity does and have so much respect for it.

“I can’t begin to imagine how parents must feel when they have children with life-threatening conditions and want to do whatever I can to help.

“The more books I sell, the more money I can donate to this wonderful charity.”

Tony, 64, took early retirement two years ago and used to be a train driver for Greater Anglia.

Known for being a “wind-up merchant”, he has a lifelong passion for telling stories and, during his working life, enjoyed the rivalry between Greater Anglia’s Suffolk and Norfolk depots, Ipswich and “that place north of Diss” (Norwich).

He says it is a thread that runs throughout the book and it was only when he started writing things down he realised he had the basis for a novel.

Some of it is based on personal experience and other parts are completely fictitious – the product of his rich imagination.

“Suffolk’s Last Cold War Victim is my first book but it could hopefully lead to more, depending on how successful it is,” said Tony, who has two children and two grandchildren and recently took to the airwaves to promote his book on BBC Radio Suffolk.

“I hope people enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it and my dream would be for it to be turned into a drama or film one day.

“That would be incredible – the icing on the cake – and, needless to say, any royalties or profits in that respect would also benefit my two chosen charities.”

Suffolk’s Last Cold War Victim, which features a foreword by Suffolk entertainer and writer Charlie Haylock, has been published by Amazon and is available in paperback and on Kindle.

The paperback costs £8.99 and the Kindle version £2.99.

To donate, volunteer or find out more visit the EACH website