A LOCAL resident is delving into the world of publishing after releasing his first book.

Peter F Hammond has lived in North Berwick for the past 23 years and has published his debut novel, ‘Dangers of Pilgrimage’.

It is a murder mystery set in Haddington in the 14th century, a time when pilgrims were coming to North Berwick on their way to Fife.

Williame Boyde, a 17-year-old apprentice blacksmith, reluctantly leads a pilgrimage to Fife, via North Berwick, to visit the relics of St Andrew.

While in Fife, one of the pilgrims is murdered and with the daughter, Cicilia, standing over the body, she is immediately the first suspect.

Boyde sets out to clear Cicilia’s name and the book follows his journey to find out who killed the pilgrim and the reasoning behind it.

This is not Peter’s first experience with writing as he used to be a commercial writer, writing adverts, instruction videos and exhibition videos.

He has started a lot of novels but this is his first completed piece and already he has plans for a second book.

Peter, who is also involved in fundraising for the North Berwick RNLI, hopes to speak about his debut novel in various libraries and bookshops throughout the county.

The book is on sale now from Kesley’s Bookshop, in Haddington, and Amazon, with plans for it to be added to more bookshops in the future.