Two West Suffolk authors launch new books in time for Christmas

Two seasoned West Suffolk authors launched their latest books last week – just in time to attract the Christmas shoppers.

Robert Leader, from Bury St Edmunds, has celebrated the publication of his sixth East Anglian history book, Bloody British History: Suffolk, while Pauline Manders, from Battisford, launched latest novel Utterly Reclaimed at Waterstones in Bury, on December 6.

Robert’s new book, a follow-up to Bloody British History: Bury St Edmunds, included a lot of research undertaken for previous articles on the region’s history through the ages.

“My brief was to write a history book with all the boring bits left out, and to focus on the battles, blood and gore,” said Robert.

“Because Suffolk is so close to the English Channel, it took a lot of the brunt of Viking raids and early European explorations.”

Established writer Robert, 76, has over 50 published fiction works and hopes his latest history offering will appeal to a wide audience.

“It is written to be an easier read. It is not a complete history but is an exciting one, not heavily pedantic like a lot of history books,” he said.

“It would make a great stocking filler!”

Pauline’s new novel is the latest instalment in her Stowmarket-based crime fiction series about the Utterly Academy. It follows the regular band of friends as they work to solve a spate of metal thefts.

Utterly Reclaimed is the fourth novel in the series, and Pauline promises it will be as gripping as its predecessors.

“The friends from the academy visit a reclamation yard and discover an automaton, and that it where it all starts,” she said.

“It is full of murder, intrigue, crime and death. I had a lot of fun writing it!”

Robert will be signing copies of his new book at Waterstones in the Buttermarket, in Bury, on Saturday, January 17.