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New crime novel Where Wolves Prowl by local author James Andrew takes the crime scene to Nairn


By Federica Stefani

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James Andrew just published his latest book, Where Wolves Prowl.
James Andrew just published his latest book, Where Wolves Prowl.

A NAIRN-based writer has just published a new crime book set in the Highland town.

James Andrew's latest novel, Where Wolves Prowl, was recently released by independent publisher The Book Folks.

The story follows Jason Sutherland arriving in Nairn while attempting to escape an event in his past, but he finds himself embroiled in further troubles.

Talking about the novel, Mr Andrew said: "This is a stand-alone mystery which I found invigorating after my series of detective stories featuring Inspector Blades and which were set just after the First World War - which I enjoyed writing. Now, however, I could follow the story wherever it decided to lead me instead of having to fit in with the limitations of a series. All the characters were new to me, and I could go with them into tropes of their own devising. My imagination was free to roam."

Book cover Where Wolves Prawl.
Book cover Where Wolves Prawl.

A former teacher, Mr Andrews had previously written historical crime fiction as well as other stories set in contemporary Nairn.

Among his previous titles are The Body Under The Sands, Burning Suspicion and the Suitcase Murderer.

He said: "I’m interested in character-led stories and, when I came up with the idea of Jason Sutherland, I decided to explore him further. He has a fractured personality, and he finds himself drawn into an even more riven situation, which becomes particularly fraught. The one bright spot in his life is an encounter with an extraordinarily beautiful young woman called Isla. Isla comes from a privileged background; she is the daughter of an action film star and invites him to a pool party at what is a luxury house, all of which is beyond his previous experience. He is enthralled by her but is there more to her than he realises?

"As I live in Nairn, I was able to draw on my own reactions to the town. Its seaside front looks out onto the Moray Firth, and you can see over to the rolling hills on the other side of it, or look out to the open sea. Views of the sea have always fascinated me, perhaps because of the way the landscape opens before you. Suddenly you can see so much further, and there is just something hopeful about it.

"The seaside cafés in the novel are there in reality, and they are relaxing places to sit at with a book or two, or even an open notebook and a pen, which was handy when Isla first appeared in front of me – or the idea for her anyway."


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