A GRANDFATHER has become a first-time author and penned a crime novel.

Barrie Turner, aged 76, of Greenoak Drive, Walkden, has written Beyond Innocence, a novel about a murder trial, which centres around the manufacturing of evidence by the police and a series of inexplicable mysteries.

Mr Turner, a former transport supervisor who retired on health grounds in 1991, said: “The idea just came to me. I had nothing to do — I’ve been retired for a long time, I’ve got arthritis, and I needed something to occupy my mind. So I picked up a pen and the words absolutely flowed. I’m flattered by how people have reacted to it. Everyone I’ve spoken to has said they couldn’t put it down.

“I’m absolutely made up, it gives me so much pride.”

Beyond Innocence is published by M-Y Books, an independent publishing company based in Hertfordshire.

Mr Turner, a grandfather of eight, admitted that, at one point, the prospect of being a published author did not look possible.

He said: “I could never have seen this coming. I had a few rejections, but I kept picking myself up and trying again. Hopefully now, this book will take off.”

The book is set in Liverpool, Manchester and the Wirral in 1988 and according to Mr Turner, is loosely based on his own experiences.

He said: “I went to these places a lot back then, so it’s all relevant to the time period. It’s a very pacey book and each of the characters has got a story to tell.”

Over the last three months, Mr Turner has been putting the final touches to Beyond Innocence with Jonathan Miller, managing director of M-Y Books.

Mr Miller said: “The book shows so much potential. It’s a surprise when you get someone of Barrie’s age producing a book which is so fresh. He’s a very talented writer.”

Beyond Innocence is available on Amazon, E-book and in most major book stores.