Gosport author launches crime fantasy thriller

Averil Branson launched Watching Over Me, which was officially released last year, at Gosport Discovery Centre.

The 68-year-old, who was born in Middlesbrough but has lived in Gosport for 16 years, said: ‘This is my first novel, I’ve been working on it for many years. I’m a member of the Portchester Writers, so being a part of that group helped me a lot.

‘Watching Over Me is a spiritual story, I lost my father when I was three and I often feel him around me. I’m very intuitive and I always get messages.

‘The main character in the book is 16-year-old Stevie, she loses her father aged eight, but when he was alive he was involved in jewellery theft.

‘He dies of cancer at an early age and leaves behind Stevie, his wife, and the jewellery.

‘The young girl’s uncle Harry steps in to help when things get bad, and the pair fear for their lives when two people ransack Stevie’s flat.

‘Consumed with guilt and unable to rest for leaving his daughter in jeopardy, the spirit of Stevie’s father watches over her – but can he keep her safe? And is Harry being honest?

‘The story is told through four voices and there’s a lot of me in Stevie – her emotions about losing her dad are the same as mine. I drew on my own experiences to build a bigger story.

‘Young readers will enjoy it, it’s for those aged 16 and above. There’s humour, and a bit of violence, sex, and bad language.

‘The sequel to the book is called Unreachable and it’s a lot darker. It will be out within 18 months.’ Watching Over Me is available on Amazon for £8.99, or Kindle for £3.99.