Lecturer's book an internet sensation

WHEN Warrington Collegiate lecturer Ian Stewart penned his book, Burden of Proof, he had no idea just how popular it would become.
The murder mystery, based in Manchester, became an internet phenomena, and demand grew so much that it is now available in print on Amazon.
Ian said: “I‘ve always known I could write a book, but as a busy lecturer I had no time to get a publisher so I decided to make it available as a download. Soon, over 1,000 people had read it, and I was being contacted for a print version as well. One of the murders in the book is really chilling and people really seemed to enjoy a really good murder mystery.
“Most detective stories feature partnerships, based around one main character. In mine I’ve developed several lead characters, including a very strong female lead. The descriptions of the places are all real, which I think draws the reader into the story and there’s a particularly chilling death that readers have commented about – it seems to make the book memorable.
The English lecturer says Manchester is his favourite city, and the building on the cover of the book is Sunlight House, situated next to Manchester Opera House.
Ian’s readership was boosted when Becky Want, DJ for Radio Manchester in the afternoon, mentioned Burden of Proof on her book slot.
Ian added: “I hadn’t said anything about my books to my students, but when I was first asked about what I know about creative writing, I said, Well I’ve written a book.’ Then it quickly became news in the college and the library is ordering copies for the students to read.”
He is already writing his second book, which is due out in June 2014, and has six or seven more ideas planned.