One Manxman has taken his first steps into the world of publishing with the release of his debut novel.

Former St Ninian’s student Sean Cassidy released his novel ’Field of Spies’, a piece of young adult fiction, published by Pegasus.

Set in Ireland, the book centres on a family who have moved from Dublin to a quite rural part of Ireland.

The father is a policeman who enjoys a fractious relationship with his introverted son.

They inadvertently end up living next door to the local criminal gang, who aren’t exactly happy to see the police become their new neighbours.

Sean’s book is aimed at young readers and it was released last week.

’It is a young adult work of fiction and is probably aimed at the 14 to 18 age bracket of young readers,’ said Sean.

’Although I do think there is quite a lot there which will appeal to adults too.

’There are recurrent themes of family strife and teen angst, as well as the crime element.’

Sean grew up in Douglas and left the island to study English literature and creative writing at Edge Hill University in 2012.

Following graduation, he moved with his now-wife to Stafford.

He set his book in Ireland as he was very familiar with the country and has many family links there.

’My extended family live in Ireland, in particular County Meath, where I set most of the book,’ he said.

’I used to visit there quite often and I always imagined writing a story set around there.

’Even then, when I was much younger, I always thought it was a great place to set a story like this.

’It was something I never really got round to writing, I guess.

’However, the foundations of the story were always there and it was something that I came back to me during my time at university.

’I actually finished the book before this whole Covid thing began, back in late 2019.

’Once I had been accepted by my publishers, the whole editing process was interrupted by the lockdown in the UK.

’So it took a little while longer than I thought to get my book released.’

Sean said that the time spent during the lockdown in England has given plenty of time to concentrate on his fledgling writing career.

’The lockdown has given me plenty of time to think of more ideas for stories and it is also giving me plenty of ideas surrounding the idea of the lockdown to explore.

’I am working on more ideas for books now and I am intending to write something that is set in the island next.

’I am obviously very familiar with the island and I fancy setting it somewhere rural, somewhere slightly out of the way.

l ’Field of Spies’ is available from all online retailers.

by Mike Wade

Twitter:@iomnewspapers