A Penarth author has published his sixteenth book nearly nine years after publishing his first book in 2015.

Robert Falconer, a former computer programmer and psychologist has written many short stories including his detective series of Inspector John Pratt.

His recent book Inspector Pratt Goes Up to Eleven was published in August last year, now seven months later he published a new novel about a private investigator in Penarth.

He said: “After eleven books of detective short stories featuring detective inspector John Pratt and his alter ego, Juan Pirat it seemed time for a change.

“A publisher suggested he should write about a detective who works in a real rather than a fictional location somewhere local where he knows well.

“This book is set in Penarth where I live, and readers should be able to find and recognise plenty of places.”

The Cardiff-born author has written many short stories and won competitions with The Times, International Mensa, and the South Wales Echo.

He has also had many children’s poems published in various anthologies and has written comedy shows on both BBC and ITV.

His latest book contains twenty puzzling cases about a private investigator, Merlin Protheroe, cases include death by chocolate in a honeymoon hotel, an avenging cockatoo, and a death in a charming Dylan Thomas-like Welsh village.

The cover features a photograph of Penarth Pier with stories set in the familiar setting of Penarth.

He added: “I have been upset a few times by finding crime novels with a similar picture on the cover, only to find that the books are about a detective in England.

“At least the photograph is honest this time, as these stories involve a lot of thought and most of them contain a plot for a whole novel, but the format fits well and hopefully the reader agrees.”

The book is available to purchase at Griffin Books for £7.99.