HILTON JONES

A MAN OF MANY PARTS

Born near Wrexham more years ago than he would care to mention, he was an early reader and his interest in books brought a love of words which has followed him throughout his life.

Among his many rôles he has been a taxman in Oswestry and a teacher at Ellesmere and St Martins. Following (early) retirement, he became involved with canal boats, eventually running successful and popular boat trips across the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

Alongside these jobs, he found time to join in amateur dramatics. He produced 'The Arcadians' and 'Pirates of Penzance' with Oswestry Operatic Society and wrote sketches and pantomimes with Ellesmere ADS. As a long time member of Ellesmere ADS he took part in many productions and enjoyed playing the dame in the annual pantomime.

Reading is still a great pleasure. He says, 'I like John Grisham and Val McDermid. I have also enjoyed David Baldacchi and Peter James. Away from crime and mystery, I found Julian Fellows' 'Past Imperfect' an enthralling read – he loves words as much as I do.

As well as play scripts, he has written short stories, poems and novels, and although Scarlet Feather had been written some time ago, he had not ventured into print. Lockdown gave him the time and opportunity to go public and he now has four books published - Scarlet Feather and Landslide feature Hugh Evans; To Whom It May Concern and The Lock-Up feature DI Nick Price. The next Nick Price novel is on its way.