West Norfolk Books to Love

West Norfolk has provided literary inspiration for a number of authors and to coincide with the launch of the The Norfolk Great Big Read, the local library team has recommended books which offer another reason to #lovewestnorfolk.

Alison Thorne, the Community Librarian in Dersingham, Hunstanton, and King’s Lynn Libraries is passionate about promoting local literary work. She said: “West Norfolk is not only home to a number of authors, it also provides the setting for gripping plotlines and interesting characters.

“The beautiful coast and countryside, and the bustling towns, can provide a fantastic setting to tell a compelling story. We are so proud of all the stories which writers share about our area.”

West Norfolk’s literary scene is busy with regular readings by well known local authors such as Elly Griffiths, and the King’s Lynn Literary Festival which takes place in March and boasts an impressive line-up.

The recommendations were made to coincide with the launch of The Norfolk Great Big Read which aims to encourage everyone to pick up a book, Kerry Murray, Library Locality Manager for West and North Norfolk said: “We have fantastic libraries over here in West Norfolk, they are great community resources. Not only do they encourage reading but they also allow people to connect and meet with others at the events we hold. Our libraries really are another reason to love West Norfolk.”

Alison’s personal recommendations of West Norfolk-based authors, or books set in the local area, are:

Elly Griffiths – The Crossing Places

First in the Ruth Galloway series all set in West Norfolk – tenth title came out in February.

When a child’s bones are found near an ancient site that archaeologist Ruth Galloway worked on ten years earlier, she is asked to date them. DCI Harry Nelson hopes they are the bones of a girl, Lucy, who’s been missing for ten years. When another girl goes missing, Nelson realises Ruth’s expert knowledge is putting her in danger.

Jim Kelly – Death Wore White

First in the Shaw and Valentine series set in West Norfolk

At 5.15 p.m. Harvey Ellis was trapped – stranded in a line of eight cars by a blizzard on a Norfolk coast road. At 8.15 p.m. Harvey Ellis was dead – viciously stabbed at the wheel of his truck. His killer has achieved the impossible: striking without being seen, and without leaving a single footprint in the snow. For DI Peter Shaw and DS George Valentine it’s only the start of an infuriating investigation. The crime scene is melting, the murderer has vanished, the witnesses are dropping like flies. And the body count is on the rise .

James Nicol – Apprentice Witch

Arianwyn fluffs her witch’s assessment – instead of qualifying, she’s declared an apprentice and sent to remote Lull in disgrace. Then her arch-enemy, mean girl Gimma, arrives on holiday determined to make her life a misery. But as a mysterious darkness begins to haunt her spells, Arianwyn realizes there’s much more than her pride at stake.

Stephen Fry – Hippopotamus

Ted Wallace is an old, sour, womanising, cantankerous, whisky-sodden beast of a failed poet and drama critic, but he has his faults too. Fired from his newspaper, months behind on his alimony payments and disgusted with a world that undervalues him, Ted seeks a few months repose and free drink at Swafford Hall, the country mansion of his old friend Lord Logan. But strange things have been going on at Swafford. Miracles. Healings. Phenomena beyond the comprehension of a mud-caked hippopotamus like Ted. With this funny and deliciously readable novel, Stephen Fry takes his place as one of the most talented comic novelists of his generation.