Dr Mike Leonard, a retired GP who worked in Weston, has recently published his debut novel, an international crime thriller, titled A Certain Persuasion.

There will be a launch event at the Black Cat Micropub in Weston-super-Mare; the dates are yet to be confirmed.

The novel follows the story of Dr Luke Darius, a divorced Weston GP. Following a indiscretion in his practice, he is forced to flee to avoid the subsequent fallout.

The story then takes the reader on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, unveiling a seedy underworld full of intriguing characters, including strong-willed love interest, Tara Scott, and Luke's narcissitic brother, Martin.

This is the perfect time for a thriller book of this kind to be released. According to the NPD Group, thriller books make up nearly one in eight adult fiction books sold, meaning that Mike has the opportunity to tap into a significant market.

Mike Leonard's background

Having qualified at Bristol University in 1978, Mike worked as a junior hospital doctor in and around Bristol for 3 years and then did his GP training at Nailsea Health Centre.

Before settling into his long career in Weston, Mike worked in Australia, Canada and for 2 years as the sole ship's surgeon on a cruise ship, sailing in both the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. 

Mike retired from his role as senior partner in Locking Castle Medical Centre in 2020.

Mike's strong ties to Weston is evident even in the book itself, with the town mentioned more than once: "And it was mainly because of all that, so many years later, Luke still found himself working in the West Country. The coastal town of Weston-super-Mare lay no more than twenty miles to the south - a resort of surprising beauty when the tide was in and the sun shining."

A Certain Persuasion is available on Amazon in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, paperback and hardcover editions. It can also be ordered from most bookshops, with signed copies also available at the proposed launch event.

Please note that the book does sometimes contain dark humour and adult themes, so may not be suitable for young readers.

Information on upcoming events at the Black Cat Micropub can be found by visiting their Facebook page.