Tel: 01623 707017
We've Got Mansfield, Ashfield & Sherwood Covered

Menu

Radio presenter launches debut novel

Posted onPosted on 23rd Jun

Radio presenter Katie Trinder has released her debut novel, Stanley Thomas Is A Very Bad Man.

Katie, who has worked in radio for more than 20 years, held a book launch at the National Justice Museum, Nottingham.

Stanley Thomas Is A Very Bad Man is the story of Nottinghamshire gangster Stanley Thomas and his band of Merry Men. In 1953, Stan meets his fate on the gallows for the murder of local brothel owner Walter Dorrell.

In 1988, Henry Mason, a retired former prison governor, finds himself with a best-seller on his hands with his book, Tales From The Gallows. Not only had Henry been a prison governor, he’d also been a hangman. His first day on the job was at Stanley’s execution.

Even after 35 years the interest in Stan and the Merry Men is still very strong and the book reunites them, bringing their friendships back to life and forcing them to deal with the secrets of the past.

Katie said: “I first had the idea for the book 10 years ago, just after I got my beagle puppy, Cyril.

“He didn’t sleep for the first six months of his life and one night I had a nightmare. When I told my sister, Lucy, she said it sounded like the plot of a book and I thought she was right!

“I didn’t really start writing properly until we went into lockdown and then it felt like Stan and the boys took over my life.”

The book was launched at the National Justice Museum because Stan’s trial in the book takes place there. “It was the perfect setting,” added Katie.

“Stanley Thomas Is A Very Bad Man is set in Nottinghamshire. It was important for me that the book was set in and around the county, and although the story is a total work of fiction, it does feature some of my favourite places here.”

Katie who has been a part of Mansfield 103.2 since its launch in 1999, still presents shows there at the weekends. She has also worked for the BBC, BFBS, and the Lincs FM group.

Katie now combines her time working in radio with being a funeral and wedding celebrant.

“In my day-to-day life I help people tell their stories, either on the radio, or as part of my work as a celebrant, so I guess writing a book was inevitable,” she said.

“I don’t think the book is what people would probably expect from me, but I hope people enjoy meeting Stan.”

Stanley Thomas Is A Very Bad Man is available via Facebook (@Stanleythomasisaverybadman) or via Amazon.