Successful Sunderland author Glenda Young releases latest novel rooted in Ryhope

Glenda Young has received rave reviews for previous novels Belle of the Back Streets and The Tuppenny Child. Now, she’s gearing up for the release of her third novel set in Ryhope village: Pearl of Pit Lane.

The author, who grew up reading books at the old Ryhope Village Library, said: "Pearl of Pit Lane is another gritty novel set in old Ryhope of 1919. All of my novels are stand alone books and can be read in any order.

“The research is fascinating for all of the books as I use the original old maps of Ryhope so that my characters can walk streets and drink in pubs that no longer exist. However, as Pearl of Pit Lane features women walking the pit lanes to sell their bodies, I invented a fictional street. I didn't want anyone in Ryhope collaring me saying 'Hey, that never happened in our street!'.”

She added: “The story is set between the two different sides of Ryhope at the end of the first word war; the mining and farming communities. The heroine, Pearl Edwards, lives with her Aunt Annie who wants her to sell her body on the streets to pay off Annie's debts. But Pearl has other ideas. She runs away and tries to make a new life in Ryhope village, but things don't go according to plan. Meanwhile, a mysterious stranger stalks the streets of Ryhope. Just who is he and what does he want?”

Glenda has also built up a following for her popular Coronation Street fan websites. She also writes Riverside, the first weekly soap opera for The People’s Friend.

*Pearl of Pit Lane, published by Headline, is released on March 5, 2020 priced £6.99 in paperback. It will also be available in Ebook and audio.

*A book launch will be held at Waterstones, The Bridges, on March 7 from 11am to 1pm and at the National Glass Centre from 2pm to 3pm. All are welcome.