Writing the Town Read

On July 7th 2005, London is high on the success of winning the 2012 Olympics bid. The celebrations come to an abrupt end when terrorists attack the city's transport network, striking Underground trains and a bus during the morning rush hour. At the other side of the country, in comparatively peaceful, beautiful Cornwall, aspiring journalist Jamie Calder finds her own life directly affected by the bombs. Her partner Dave vanishes in London at the same time the attacks take place. The initial impact of that terrible day is followed by a slow but sure falling apart of the life Jamie believed was settled and secure. As well as Dave's mysterious disappearance, she finds she has to face a betrayal by her best friend, and the prospect of losing her job. Meanwhile, a gang of teenagers is wreaking havoc in the town that Jamie loves, culminating in a brutal attack on an elderly lady and adding to Jamie's inner turmoil. The following months hold a number of challenges for Jamie, demonstrating that life does not always run to plan and that things are not always as they may first seem. Only time will tell whether this is necessarily a bad thing. Writing the Town Read is full of intrigue, angst, excitement and humour. The evocative descriptions and convincing narrative voice instantly draw readers into Jamie's life as they experience her disappointments, emotions and triumphs alongside her. The story focuses strongly on characters and their relationships. Jamie, while believing herself wronged by so many, also finds she has much to learn about life, particularly when it comes to her strong principles and idealistic ways. Writing the Town Read was inspired by a number of factors, including the beauty of Cornwall, the effects of terrorism, local newspapers, and some of the social issues of the 21st century. It has received excellent reader reviews on Amazon and other book review sites, such Author Alliance and Goodreads. It may appeal primarily to a female readership but it has also received numerous positive reviews from male readers. Author Katharine E. Smith lives in Shropshire with her family but has spent a great deal of time in Cornwall and much of the story was written there. Katharine has a degree in Philosophy from the University of Hull, and worked for a number of years in the charity and ICT sectors. She now runs a small publishing company and looks after her two young children. Writing the Town Read is her first novel.