Journalist uses Herald experience for novel

A writer and journalist for years, he has turned to crime for his first paperback novel.

Peter, of The Meadway, Shoreham Beach, launched his Crampton of the Chronicle series on Kindle two years ago, with Murder at the Chronicle, a collection of five short stories.

Now the series continues with Headline Murder, a novel-length crime mystery which goes on sale in bookshops and online tomorrow.

Mr Bartram said: “The story, set in the 1960s, follows the adventures of a Brighton reporter who stumbles on the mystery of an unsolved murder while investigating the disappearance of a seafront trader.”

Mr Bartram began his career on the Worthing Herald briefly before going to the London School of Economics, where he earned an honours degree.

He later worked in London on newspapers and magazines, before becoming a freelance writer and journalist. He has since written thousands of articles and 21 non-fiction books in different genres, including five ghostwritten titles.

He was also a member of Sussex Police Authority for four years, during the 1970s.

Mr Bartram lived in Brighton for 30 years before moving to Shoreham Beach in 2010 with his wife, Jackie.

A former leader of Adur District Council, Mr Bartram was the first Liberal councillor in Lancing and in 1981, wrote the biography of former Liberal Party leader David Steel, covering his life and politics.

Mr Bartram added: “I hope that Headline Murder will be the first novel of a Crampton of the Chronicle series of humorous murder mysteries. I’m already working on the second book in the series.

“I’ve drawn on a few of my own experiences in writing the book. But Colin Crampton, my fictional reporter, pulls some outrageous scams that I would never have thought of as he unravels the mystery.”

Peter Lovesey, former chairman of the Crime Writers’ Association, has given the book a generous cover endorsement.

He wrote: “Superbly crafted and breezy as a stroll along the pier, this Brighton-based murder mystery is a delight.”

Headline Murder is published in paperback by Roundfire Books at £9.99 and is also available in e-book formats for £4.99.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 – Make our website your homepage

2 – Like our Facebook pages

3 – Follow us on Twitter

4 – Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends – so they don’t miss out!

The Herald and Gazette – always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.