Gerald Wixey, 64, was a mechanical engineer before retiring, but is now a full-time writer. He was born in Wantage, where he still lives, and his writing is inspired by his experiences growing up in the Abingdon Arms, where his father was the landlord. 4 Bones Sleeping (Authoright, £8.99) is one of four titles in his collection of small-town thrillers, with the third book due to be published later this year. Its hero, owner of a small-town newspaper, is confronted with the horrors of his past as a reporter in wartime London when a murder occurs.