THE debut crime-thriller from Bude-based author Frank Westworth received widespread critical approval when it was launched last year.

A Last Act Of Charity was short-listed in Wordery’s Best Independent Books of 2014 and selected by crime guru Maxim Jakubowski for his end-of-year recommended reads.

Now, readers who enjoy modern noir or Eurocrime can buy a copy of A?Last Act of Charity in Bude — and contribute to a local charity in the process.

The paperbacks, each signed by the author, are available from the Friends of Bude Sea Pool (FoBSP) pop-up shop on Belle Vue at the special discounted price of just £9.95. Of that, £5 will be donated to FoBSP to help the volunteer-run organisation maintain and improve the historic tidal swimming pool on Summerleaze Beach.

Frank said: “If the pool didn’t exist then this book probably wouldn’t have been written. My wife swims there regularly and this gives me the time to write my thrillers. So I wanted to help FoBSP with their efforts.

“At this time of year, we thought people might appreciate some holiday reading to take to the beach.”

The second book in Frank’s ‘killing sisters’ series will be published this autumn. So there’s just time to read the opening episode before more murder and mayhem is unleashed.

The FoBSP shop is open from 10am to 5pm. Further information about the Sea Pool can be found at budeseapool.org, while Frank’s website is www.murdermayhemandmore.net

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week’s edition of the Post.