A LOCAL politician has turned his hand to prose as well as politics.

Cllr Nick Peel known for his impassioned speeches in the the Town Hall council chamber has had his debut novel ­— fittingly a political thriller set in Bolton ­— published.

Nick's debut novel The Boy in the Storm, is an alternative history set in Bolton in 1957, which assumes that Germany won the war and the country is under Nazi control.

The book took Nick just over a year to write, followed by months of refining and editing.

He said: "I’ve always had a keen interest in history, and with that, the ‘what if’ scenarios of alternate history.

"It’s a fascinating subject that explores the multitude of consequences that could arise from a single event in history taking place, or not taking place as we understand it.

"However, the book is also about human nature and the balance between good and evil that plays out in people’s decision making.”"

Nick, a Labour ward councillor for Tonge with the Haulgh, said he had been thinking about the idea for years but had never put pen to paper. Then one day he just began writing.

“I wasn’t fully sure where I was going with it at first, but within about a week I had the entire story concluded in my head. I thought it would take about four months to do, but it just kept getting bigger,” he said.

Nick’s literary stylistic influences include British horror writer James Herbert and Game of Thrones author George R R Martin.

“His books brilliantly challenge the traditional notion of characters in a story being either the ‘goodies’ and the ‘baddies’, so I’ve definitely picked up on that theme,” he said.

“English and history were my favourite subjects at school, which are basically the two subjects that equip you to write a novel set in an alternative world.”

However, he added: “It isn’t just about war or history. The central theme that runs through the story is about the decisions people make and the consequences of those decisions.

“It’s about good and evil, human frailty and human bravery. But above all, it’s a fast-moving traditional mystery/ thriller novel with plenty of action, cliffhangers, twists and a few tear jerkers!”

Now Nick has got the writing bug, he says he has plans for a sequel to The Boy in the Storm, as well as other ideas for other stories.

He said he was nervous when the book was initially unleashed on the public, despite friend and fellow former councillor Frank White having read it and enjoyed it.

“I thought, well if one person likes it, then there must be others who will.

“I sent drafts to Sea Lion Press, who also said they liked it, so I just took the plunge and went for it.

“The feedback so far has been really supportive and positive. It helps that I’m already locally known in politics, as that inevitably will lead to curiosity from friends and foes alike.

Nick added: “There will obviously be people who will not like the book or the subject matter, but that’s fine; as long as some people like it, I would be happy!”

The Boy in the Storm costs £4.99, published by Sea Lion Press, and is available: https://www.sealionpress.co.uk/product-page/the-boy-in-the-storm