Ricochet

Description

In the normally sedate Cumbrian arts scene Alan Forsyth is well-known as both painter and poet. Now he can add thriller writer to his creative CV. Drawing on inspiration from his own post-war experience as a post-war army officer with the Cheshire Yeomanry, Alan tells the story of one man’s journey from the dangerous deserts of the post-war Middle East to the no less life-risking thrills and spills of Grand Prix racing. The novel, Alan’s first, is in two parts – the first opening in the oppressive heat of the Sinai desert in 1946 Palestine at a time when the Israeli state was undergoing its ‘murderous’ birth. The second is set in sixties England amid the dramas and dangers of the racing circuit, where high octane driving and a beautiful woman test the novel’s protagonist to his limits. Westmorland Gazette, March 2014

One man’s journey – from the deserts and dangers of post-war Palestine and the murderous creation of the Israeli state, to the guts and glamour of Grand Prix racing in Sixties England. This is Alan Forsyth’s grandly ambitious first novel. A gripping action thriller introduces a young officer on his first command throwing grenades at authority and conformity as well as the enemy… an adventurer in the land of love and hate and betrayal, infatuated both by a beautiful woman and a dream to race the grand prix circuits of the world. Are both dreams beyond his reach? Where is the real betrayal?
The future is obscured by the driving spray and mist of risk and loyalty, every bit as uncertain as the view from the ‘loneliest place in the world’ – the cockpit of a grand prix racing car. Forsyth conducts us skilfully to the chequered flag and a blistering last lap of twists and turns.

Keith Sutton, Industrial Fellow, Journalism Leaders Programme, UCLan.
and former President of the Society of Editors.

About the Author :
Alan Forsyth, was born in Wallasey, Cheshire, of Welsh land-owning farming stock, and Scottish/Cumbrian seafarers. After a false start in marine engineering, he joined the Recce Corps in 1945, commissioned in the RAC, the Queen’s Bays. He studied Art at Liverpool, was commissioned in the Cheshire Yeomanry, then joined Vickers Supermarine initially in Technical Publications, then as deputy Chief Draughtsman, Chilbolton.
Together with wife, Jennifer, he moved between aircraft and other engineering companies, until joining Furmanite in 1967 as part of a two-man operation, growing to more than 1,500 staff worldwide and sales of £50 million, meanwhile painting, illustrating and writing. Alan was awarded an OBE in 1981 and appointed DL for Cumbria in 1995. His poetry has been published by the University of Wales, Gregynog in 1992 and 1995, and a book of his poems entitled Waypoints was published by Hayloft. He and Jennifer have exhibited paintings jointly at Cirencester, Grizedale and Kendal Brewery Arts Centre.