A NEW book set in a Maldon pub is the first in a series of crime novels based in the district.

Barrie Jaimeson, actor and artistic director of macTheatre in Maldon, has released his fifth thriller and the first in the Anne Edwards detective series he is working on which are all set in the Maldon district.

He said: "As an actor I’m always attracted to a sense of drama and suspense and enjoy both reading and writing in this genre.

"My first trilogy of books led us to Maldon and the town is at the heart of every story.

"The character of Anne Edwards had been brewing for a while and as the storyline grew, it offered the perfect opportunity to introduce her to the Maldon community and I’m really looking forward to bringing her to life in the setting that inspired the tale."

Death at the Queens Head is, as the title suggests, set in the Queens Head pub in The Hythe.

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The story finds Alex Sowter, bar manager of the riverside pub, horribly slaughtered on the terrace and detective sergeant Anne Edwards, newly returned to Maldon, charged with discovering not only who killed him but why.

Assistant manager Charlotte Tibbs is then forced to take over the running of the pub becomes embroiled in the search for the truth with new employee, Ben Matthews.

Barrie will be reading extracts from his new crime novel, Death at the Queens Head, on Monday (December 13) at 7.30pm in the restaurant area of The Queens Head itself.

This tale is not for the faint-hearted, as the story deepens the drama gets darker and the evening promises to set the scene for a "winter’s night of intrigue".

This is a free event with signed copies of books available to purchase.

Organisers say numbers are limited as macTheatre is working to a reduced capacity audience, so get there in good time to find a seat.