Dorset author Brent Shore has published his fifth novel, Inappropriate Behaviour. The part psychological drama, part ghost story, is set largely in rural France but the story’s climax takes place on the dramatic Dorset coast.

In many ways the tale has come full circle since the Tolpuddle novelist began writing fiction. His first book, Shillingstone Station, was set in both North and West Dorset and still sells well locally. Brent spoke at the Blandford Literary Festival and given talks in several libraries and groups.

The retired teacher, who has spent plenty of time writing fiction since leaving the classroom, said: “As long as I keep getting ideas for characters, situations and plotlines, I love putting them altogether and creating imaginary scenarios.
Of course, as a starting point, I write about what I know and where I know. On top of that the research element is also really enjoyable and I have learned so much. Looking back at what I have written I see that the three areas I am confident about are Dorset, France and the north-west of England, where I am originally from. Within this framework all my stories are quite different as I like to try new genres and stretch myself with characterisation.”

Shillingstone Station can be described as a spy story but really that is only its starting point. Bailing Out is a mystery, looking at both the prosperous and the ‘just about managing’ set in contemporary Wessex. An English Impressionist, my third novel, is set in the Dordogne and I invented a less sympathetic main character whose vanity is central to the story. It revolves around art, literature and family secrets and just below the surface bubble deception and revenge.

Shillingstone Station

English Impressionist

Bailing Out

Blessèd are the Meek followed and was quite a departure, being a tale of a mill worker’s life at the time of the Chartist Plug Riots in Hyde, near Manchester, in the middle of the 19th century. I am currently revisiting the period for my next venture.

Blessed are the Meek

“What I hope is common to all my books is a dramatic drive which keeps the reader turning the pages, a strong sense of place and a set of characters that engage. Generally I aim for suspense, threat and often a moral dilemma, along with warmth and humour.”

Inappropriate Behaviour introduces a first female protagonist, the English owner of a holiday home in the Sologne region of central France who recognises a schoolteacher on the run from England with a teenage pupil. She has a decision to make: whether to cheer them on or give them up.

These books are available at the Dorset Bookshop in Blandford, Shillingstone Station and the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum, and at brentshore.co.uk.

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