A NORTH Waltham author is about to launch her debut crime fiction novel nationwide.

Helen Fields, originally from Romsey, has lived in North Waltham for 13 years, where she has penned a serious of contemporary crime novels, with the first due to be released later this month.

Perfect Remains is the first book of the detective series, which will span over at least three books, due to be released at a later date.

Helen started writing and self-publishing fantasy novels after having her children when the family moved to North Waltham. Helen said: “It just started as a hobby to do when the children came along, it was something that I could do to keep myself busy while I looked after them. I’d only ever really done writing recreationally before then, and now my hobby has become my career!”

Then, after attending a writing festival in Winchester, she received a positive reception to her work before finding an agent.

Drawing on her 13 years’ experience as a barrister, Helen has written the books, set in Scotland about the adventures of Detective Inspector Luc Callanach and the missing person case that turns into a murder investigation.

She said: “It’s very exciting to go from one career to another, but it’s so much fun and I’m enjoying the challenge. It’s been a surreal six months ever since Harper Collins picked up the book.”

“We’ve sold the TV rights to a big TV company already, which is great. Hopefully, a TV series might come out of this, which would be incredible. It is really exciting to know that my debut novel might make it on TV.”

The book, comes out on January 26 nationwide, with the second book in the three-book series due in the summer. The third book is currently in the process of being finished, and will be released in 2018.