FIRST time novelists often turn to autobiographical inspiration for their plots and this trend has been dutifully continued in Peter Cropper’s book Bowing Out.

Like the hero Chris O’Neill, the author used to be a teacher. A key difference, however, is when the fictional teacher ends up becoming a fugitive from his profession after incurring the wrath of colleagues for a drunken end-of-year speech.

After that, the story becomes O’Neill’s quest for redemption and reconciliation, with the Lake District a prominent backdrop to much of the story.

Available from The Novel Cafe, Ulverston, or call the author on 01204 696395.