James Ellson, a graduate of our MFA Creative Writing programme, Publishes Debut Novel and is Profiled in the M.E.N.

James Ellson, a graduate of our MFA Creative Writing programme, published his debut novel this week, The Trail.

James has a fascinating back story and interesting journey into writing and to publication.

Last night (Thursday 27th February 2020) he launched his debut novel at Waterstones. His first novel was entitled The Trail and was published this week by Unbound.

The Trail is a crime thriller. A missing person enquiry set in Nepal.

The Trail starts in Manchester. DCI Rick Castle is inspecting his bees when his boss phones. It’s his day off. Missing is 25 year old Calix Coniston. He’s a minor cannabis dealer. Rick shuts up the beehive, and goes to interview Calix’s parents.

Calix’s father is a Brigadier in the Ghurkhas.  Calix won a competition, the prize a trekking expedition in Nepal. He’s gone missing on the trek.

Rick flies to Nepal, and heads up the trail. Villages of friendly children and prayer flags. Gompas, dharma, dal baht. Bright blue skies, and white-capped mountains. A dead body.

Then a second.

The Trail is told from two alternating points of view, DCI Rick Castle and Calix Coniston. Rick is having psychotherapy. His dad has dementia and his sister is getting married. He develops feelings for Maggie, a police analyst. Calix is a loner, a dreamer. He’s got a parrot called Bird Bird.

We find out where Calix is, and what’s happened . . . what Calix thinks has happened.

And, slowly, Rick uncovers a conspiracy which stretches forward and back in Nepalese geopolitical history.

The Trail is a work of fiction, but casts a spotlight on the hundreds of Nepalese workers who’ve died in the last decade.

Find out more about his novel here.

Find out more about James and his journey in the Manchester Evening News article here.