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.

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.