A local playwright and performer, who was a criminal barrister by profession, has released her first novel.

'What Lies Beneath The Surface' by Ginny Davis is a crime and psychological suspense story which follows two senior lawyers and a celebrated actress who are caught up in a police enquiry into an unexplained death in north London.

Davis began the novel at the beginning of April 2020 during the first national lockdown. Early research into locations was halted by travel restrictions, but when lockdown eased she spent many hours cycling and walking in the areas surrounding the Regent's Canal which feature in the novel.

Her final piece of research was carried out in September 2020 when she ran the 14km length of the canal from Little Venice to Limehouse Basin. The run had the dual purpose of enabling her to also raise money for St Mungo's charity for the homeless.

A former criminal barrister, and married to a high court judge, Davis writes about worlds familiar to her.

One of her aims in writing What Lies Beneath The Surface was to normalise and humanise senior lawyers, whose public profile is often regarded as remote and impersonal.

Whilst this is her first novel, Davis is an experienced writer. She is known for her series of one-woman comedies about modern family life which gained popular acclaim at the Edinburgh, Brighton and Buxton Fringe Festivals and on the rural touring schemes run by Live and Local.

Her courtroom drama 'Learned Friends' won Best Original Piece at Birminghamfest in 2016 and was subsequently performed to sell-out audiences at London's Old Bailey as well as the Crown Courts in Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

Ginny has also performed a number of her plays at Kenilworth's Talisman Theatre.

Davis will talk about What Lies Beneath The Surface at the local writers' showcase for Stratford Literary Festival on 12 May at 6.00pm - more details of which can be found here.

What Lies Beneath The Surface is on sale at Kenilworth Books and Warwick Books. It may also be purchased direct from the author. Contact [email protected]