Frome stalwart releases first novel

A well-known Frome figure is preparing to launch his first novel, bringing together political intrigue and romance.

Martin Dimery, a Somerset councillor for Frome West, is known in the town as a musician and actor. He has written Sunset at Seaview, which will be launched by Winstone’s Hunting Raven Books on Thursday 1st October.

Martin is also a playwright whose productions have been performed in the town and plays guitar with local band The Unravelling Wilburys.

He said, “It’s been a busy year. In fact, I haven’t written an awful lot this year. It’s simply a case of some long running projects coming to fruition around the same time.”

Sunset at Seaview is set on the Isle of Wight, where Martin used to live.

He said, “My wife Anne and I lived there when we were first married and have rediscovered the Island in recent years. I love the diversity of landscapes on the Isle of Wight. Add to that the old-fashioned seaside towns and harbours, quaint villages with thatched cottages and you have a sense of England in microcosm.”

Published by Mercer Books, the novel follows two people who escape to the island in the hope of starting their lives again.

Martin said, “One, Sir Charles Beacham, is a disgraced former MP who finds an unexpected opportunity to revive his career and salvage his reputation. The other is Miranda Sheridan who has moved to the coastal village of Seaview to take over an art gallery. Miranda has settled for the single life but finds her plans unexpectedly changed when meeting landscape artist Jack Calthorpe. On the day Charles moves into his gothic mansion on the fringes of Seaview, Miranda moves into her modest, converted flat in the estate’s old stable block.

“Their fates are drawn together in a plot that contrasts local political intrigue and corruption with the unexpected consequences of romance.”

The launch will take place at 7.30pm upstairs at the Three Swans in King Street. Martin will read extracts from the book in conversation with Lockhart Murdoch, co-chair of the Frome Festival.

Admission is free and copies of Sunset at Seaview will be available to purchase.

Pictured: l-r Martin and Tina Gaisford-Waller manager of the Hunting Raven bookshop