Crewe writer thrills readers with gripping war story
Added: (Mon Sep 06 2021)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
A former armoured car engineer from Crewe has made an assault on the book charts with his thrilling debut war novel set beneath the Atlantic ocean.
Ian Gwilliams enjoyed a successful engineering career with Rolls Royce and Airbus before taking early retirement in 2018.
The 60-year-old father-of-two has used his additional spare time to produce his first novel, Black Pearl: U-boat 931.
And, since its recent publication, the fast-paced thriller has been met with a long string of five-star reviews from captivated readers.
Ian admits the writing of his first novel was helped by his lifelong obsession with the Second World War.
He said: “The idea for the book came from my love of all things to do with the greatest military conflict, the world has ever seen.
“It's a passion I’ve held for as long as I can remember."
“Black Pearl: U-boat 931 revolves around the U-boat and its captain, Ahron Roth, who is tasked by Heinrich Himmler to take two SS officers and a dirty bomb to Washington DC where it is to be detonated at the same time as a sea borne launch of V1 rockets on the American capital.
“The allied intelligence agencies know something is underway but are unsure as to what, and so begins a game of cat and mouse between the two adversaries.
“Ultimately, the core of the book is about duty to one's country and the tussle with your own morals - eventually there can only be one winner in this duel.”
Since hitting the shelves, Black Pearl: U-boat 931 has been described by critics as ‘classy’, ‘a gripping story’, and ‘excellent and believable’.
Reviewer Adrian Stafford stated: “Well written, with twists and turns throughout - well researched and a thoroughly good read.”
The authentic qualities of Black Pearl: U-boat 931 come from Ian’s meticulous research into naval submarine warfare.
He added: “All of the elements of the book are fact-based.
“They may not have actually taken place or were even constructed, but like the sub launched V1 rockets, plans, trials and scientists were involved at some stage to make such things become a reality.
“I did extensive research, many hours spent on the internet and I bought books on U-boats and their commanders which gave me an insight into the horrors of naval warfare, plus the mindset of the crews.
“I watched old war films again and I also re-read many other books from my collection of WW2 factual publications covering the SS, air crews of the RAF and Luftwaffe, plus air, sea and land battles of the era.”
Although Ian has yet to decide on a sequel, he has deliberately left the option open with the finale to Black Pearl: U-boat 931.
It was during his time at Rolls Royce that Ian worked in the manufacture of armoured limousines for royalty and dignitaries from around the world.
Away from writing he likes to build military models, play golf and go for long walks with his wife, Jane.
For further information visit Amazon and search for Ian T Gwilliams, where the paperback and Kindle versions of Black Pearl: U-boat 931 are both available, or contact him on Twitter @gwilliams_ian.
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