UNITING the unlikely subjects of Taiwan, Bolton and British Gas a writer has released his moving debut book.

Lost in the Crowd is an autobiography by Matthew Santley, aged 46, from Bromley Cross.

Brimming with his lucky escapes and weird coincidences, the book follows Mr Chantley as he travels the world in search of love, and speaks about his childhood in Bolton, the meaning of life, and his brother.

Available online and on Amazon the book is already receiving five-star, rave reviews.

Mr Santley started working on the book in 2015 when he was bored at work one morning, after a recent break-up with his girlfriend.

Inspired by his time in South East Asia and the Pacific, and pushed on by a period of family trauma. the book expanded in scope from a poetry collection to an ambitious and impassioned semi-autobiography.

Swirling with heartfelt emotions, the book is packed with moments to make you laugh and cry in equal measure. Mr Santley, a computer programmer, said: “I had always written poetry in the past and I had shown them to the daughter of the Spread Eagle’s landlady who was studying English at university. “She said “This is really good, have you thought about getting something published?”

“They showed them to more people and it started building my confidence. Then one miserable day in Newcastle I just had the inspiration to write a book.

“When I started it I had no clue what it was going to be about. My family were going through a lot and I was writing in a way to give my mum and dad something to smile about and be proud of.

“It was a bit of a release for me with everything that was going on, and it’s this story which brings the book together and gives it meaning. The writing process was definitely cathartic as I needed something to keep me busy.”

A regular at the Spread Eagle pub in Eagley, Mr Santley crossed paths with then bartender Chris Rivers, a Manchester-born illustrator and former drummer with rock band Heaven’s Basement.

The pair then joined forces on Lost in the Crowd and each of the book’s chapters is prefixed with Mr Rivers original artwork.

Mr Rivers said: “I’m really happy with how it all worked out and it’s something different to what I usually do.

“I think one idea inspires other ideas and it pushed my artwork. And the most important thing is that Matt is happy with them.”

The book was unveiled at a launch and signing at the Spread Eagle on May 25.

Speaking about the launch Mr Santley said: “It couldn’t have been anywhere else because this is where it was all born. It’s amazing just to think that from writing a few poems it’s come to this. I just quietly got on with the book and I haven’t had a bad response so far which is amazing.” Mr Santley has now started work on a sequel to Lost in the Crowd, incorporating more fictional elements.For more information or to pick up a copy Visit lostinthecrowd

book.co.uk