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1 minute read
Retired headteacher turns to crime writing
A FORMER primary school head teacher from Thornbury has started a new chapter in his life, as a crime novel writer.
David Beeley is so pleased with his first book, Secrets, Lies and Rhubarb Pies, that he is about to publish a sequel.
The novel centres on the intrigues of allotment holders trying to defend their patch from a housing development. David used to be chair of his local allotments committee in Thornbury, but insists he has not based his story on real people.
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David, who is 73, was deputy head at Crossways Junior School in Thornbury and head teacher of Trinity Primary School, Acton Turville and The Ridge Junior School, in Yate.
He said: “I have been wanting to do this since I was a lad – I started writing 60 years ago, but things got in the way - like family and jobs.
"I was inspired to have another go by my three granddaughters, E.J, Willow and Nora, who taught me determination, creativity and a zest for life.
“This book was written for them and a sequel for my beloved wife, Eveline.”
David self-published the novel, and has words of encouragement for other budding authors to do the same.
He said: “I always thought self-publishing was a vanity thing, but nowadays with Amazon Kindle, it is up and coming - and of course in the past people like Charles Dickens did it too.”
The novel is described as a story of “hope, redemption, and deep everlasting love" including a birth, marriage, two deaths, treasure and rhubarb pies.
It follows the allotment holders' attempts to save their tranquil haven, with each having their own dark secrets, conflicts and fears.
David said: “It all kept my mind occupied and the best bit was family and friends saying they enjoyed it.
“Some even asked for signed copies – it’s so brilliant and nice to have a book with your name on it.”
David says once he finished his first book, he found himself so interested in the characters he invented that he decided to write a follow-up to see what happened to them next.
He hopes Secrets Lies and Two Leg Byes will be available later this year - as the title suggests, this time it involves the goings-on at a local cricket club.
Secrets, Lies and Rhubarb Pies is available as a paperback or Kindle edition by searching for the title on the Amazon website.