Murder mystery has a local flavour - The Worcester Observer

Murder mystery has a local flavour

Worcester Editorial 18th Apr, 2019   0

A COUNTY author is getting set to launch his debut crime thriller in which a serial killer stalks the canal towpaths of Worcester.

Canal Pushers is the first novel by Andy Griffee, a former BBC journalist who lives in Shelsley Beauchamp in the Teme Valley near Worcester.

“I wanted the first book to start and end in Worcester as it is a city I know so well,” said Andy, 57.

The book’s prologue begins with a deliberate drowning at night on the towpath near the Commandery and ends with another attack on the Worcester and Birmingham canal at Oddingley. The climax of the book takes place on the canal during a Worcester Warriors’ home game at Sixways.




The idea for the book, which is published on May 2, was inspired by newspaper reports of a possible serial killer who may be at large in the Greater Manchester area where a number of unexplained drownings have taken place.

“Canals can be wonderfully peaceful and beautiful places,” said Andy, “but they can also be dark and threatening as well and I wanted the book to capture that sinister aspect.”


He hopes readers will be gripped by the story of a divorced and penniless ex-journalist who buys a narrowboat to live on and soon becomes embroiled in trouble and chased by the media, a professional crime gang and the serial killer who disguises himself as a fisherman.

“There is also a romance at the heart of the book and some humorous lighter moments,” he added,

Canal Pushers will be the first fictional title to be published by Orphans Publishing of Leominster.

Andy hopes Canal Pushers will be the first in a series of crime novels which will move around the canals and waterways of the UK. He has already written a sequel which will be called River Rats and is set on the River Avon in Bath.

Recruitment

Find a career you'll love with our free career finder website.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Worcester Observer.

Advertising

Advertise with the Worcester Observer to reach your audience

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.