West Huntspill author Julie Higgins has unveiled her debut novel, a women’s contemporary fiction mystery.
Set against the backdrop of the rugged cliffs and golden sands of Woolacombe in North Devon, The Spirit in the Glass follows the madcap adventures of a group of real-life best friends with a wealth of treasured tales that were destined to be shared.
Whilst names have been changed and mysterious events have been entirely imagined, the novel is inspired by the author’s weekend trips to the area to enjoy the blue sea, abundant countryside and the beautiful view of the red sun as it sets behind Lundy Island.
The Spirit in the Glass is a debut women’s contemporary fiction novel with plenty of cosy mystery elements interwoven throughout.
It’s inspired by the beauty of the countryside and the natural world, the unyielding power of the sea, and the matched strength of female friendships. The author hopes it will inspire smiles and laughter in women, especially in her friends and colleagues in the NHS.
Windy Passage, a characterful house overlooking the sea, seemed the perfect place to escape from stressful careers in the NHS. The weekend staycation marked the tenth anniversary of the gang’s annual adventures so it needed to be extra special.
Between lashings of liquor and sumptuous spreads, it would soon become clear that the sunny days and night time shenanigans hid a dark secret that nurse Julia and her extremely merry band of best friends would desperately need to solve.
But it was going to take more than long-lasting friendship and camaraderie to solve the mysterious happenings and prevent another tragedy.
Born and bred in The West Country, having grown up in Weston, Julie now lives in West Huntspill, with her husband and two dogs.
She enjoyed a rewarding 35-year career in the NHS as both an intensive care nurse and a midwife whilst also bringing up her four children who are her pride and joy.
Following the unexpected passing of her beloved mother, however, Julie’s outlook on life transformed and she decided to take early retirement so she could enjoy all of the things she loved but never had enough time for.
After musing on the many story competitions she won as a teenager, she rediscovered her love of writing. Her years in the caring profession undoubtedly shape her stories, with characters leaning on laughter as a coping mechanism, and she draws from the many faces and beautiful places she has known and loved along the way.
Inspired by a wealth of experience in the NHS and the annual adventures she embarks on with her real-life ex-colleagues, Julie decided to write a novel that followed a similarly eccentric band of best friends on a fictional trip that none of them would be able to forget.
Click here to order a copy of the new book via Amazon
