Author Dave Andrews, who lives near Weston Rhyn, is currently completing a tour of Shropshire libraries, speaking about his two Oswestry-based murder mysteries Each Slow Dusk and Bolt From The Black. In Bolt From The Black, the body of a property developer, who wanted to build luxury homes near Wat’s Dyke, is found in the moat at Whittington Castle. Suspicion falls on campaigners opposed to the development but others are in the frame too, including jealous family members.
‘I just felt that Whittington Castle provided an ideal setting and atmosphere for a murder mystery,’ said Dave. ‘And obviously the theme of placing houses near a protected historical site is relevant not only in Oswestry but many other parts of Britain too.’
Bolt From The Black is Dave’s thirteenth book. He is Reader & Writer in Residence at Oswestry Library where he gives talks on various aspects of English and Welsh literature and conducts sessions for writers. He is a keen advocate for public libraries and enjoys helping aspiring local authors.
‘It was just such a joy to introduce my Inspector Probert character – and our town – to readers in other Shropshire libraries and I’m now planning a similar tour in Wales in 2025,’ Dave said. ‘In the first Probert novel, Each Slow Dusk, a body of a solicitor is discovered at the foot of the Wilfred Owen statue in the middle of Oswestry. Lots of readers have written to me to tell me how much they enjoyed reading about places in town they were familiar with. They seem to love seeing Oswestry and the surrounding area portrayed in a novel. In fact I’ve had messages from people all over the world – Canada, New Zealand etc – who grew up in Oswestry, telling me how much they’ve enjoyed reading about familiar places they remember.
‘I love my role at Oswestry library,’ says Dave, ‘and I like to promote the town in my books. One reviewer wrote recently that my Inspector Probert novels are doing for Oswestry what the Inspector Morse novels did for Oxford. This meant a lot to me as I was a student in Oxford and l know the city well. Also, I like meeting new readers – and writers too. I’m hosting an event at Oswestry library on 8 January called ‘Write Your Book in 2025’ and another on 6 February on ‘Writing and Publishing.’
Dave’s books are available in Booka, Oswestry Library, Oswestry TIC, Siop Cwlwm or from Dave at daveauthor54@gmail.com
