WARRINGTON author Jackson Beck’s third novel may be a crime thriller set in Cyprus – but its inspiration came from the minutes of the church council at Winwick.
“Nightfall in Famagusta” is a crime novel and, like Jackson’s previous thrillers, features ex-detective Nathan Mason.
This time he embarks on a mission to recover vital documents from Varosha, the part of Famagusta that remains annexed since 1974, when the Turkish military invaded.
If Nathan is unsuccessful he could potentially lose his life and an ecological disaster could strike the Island.
All three of Jackson’s novels are influenced by the historic church of St Oswald’s, Winwick.
He said: “Before I started this novel, I was looking through some old church council meeting minutes in the vestry. I came across an entry from the 70’s which stated that a number of refugee children from Cyprus had been brought to the church.
“When I researched further into the war in Cyprus in 1974, I was taken aback by the movement of people on the Island. Overnight, lifelong neighbours became enemies and communities were isolated or partitioned , all due to the polarising effect that the fighting had on the two different religions.
“As a result many people lost their lives and some parentless children were welcomed into the UK. Land and property also became a big issue. Buildings that were previously owned by Greek
Cypriots were suddenly occupied by Turkish Cypriots or citizens from mainland Turkey. Land that previously belonged to Turkish Cypriots was now being farmed by Greek Cypriots.
“The land issue in Cyprus is the backbone of the story in ‘Nightfall in Famagusta’ and it all originated from the church council meeting minutes at St Oswald’s, Winwick.”
Jackson, along with another Warrington author Fiona Forsyth, will be holding a local authors’ stall at Winwick Carnival on Saturday July 16. Signed books will be available to purchase on the day.
“Nightfall in Famagusta” is currently available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle format.
