A SUFFOLK author has chosen a former Lowestoft schoolboy as the hero for his latest novel.The Darkling Spy is the latest novel by former Lowestoft College lecturer Edward Wilson and last week it was featured in the cultural round-up section of the BBC 2 television programme Review, presented by Oliver James.

A SUFFOLK author has chosen a former Lowestoft schoolboy as the hero for his latest novel.

The Darkling Spy is the latest novel by former Lowestoft College lecturer Edward Wilson and last week it was featured in the cultural round-up section of the BBC 2 television programme Review, presented by Oliver James.

Mr Wilson was born in Baltimore in the United States but gave up his US nationality in 1986 and now lives near Halesworth.

He is known to many people in town through the 30 years he spent teaching at Lowestoft College, from 1976 to 1997.

The main character of his latest novel which is an espionage thriller set during the Cold War of the 1950s among spies, traitors and double agents is Will Catesby, a former Denes student.

'I believe Will Catesby is the first hero of a spy thriller to come from Lowestoft,' said Mr Wilson. 'Much of The Darkling Spy, as well as its prequel, The Envoy, is set in Suffolk.'

Mr Wilson is a former Special Forces officer and served in Vietnam. He was decorated for his part in rescuing Vietnamese soldiers from a minefield.

His debut novel, A River in May, is about the Vietnam War and was shortlisted for the British Commonwealth Prize.

After leaving the US Army, Mr Wilson lived and worked in Germany and France before settling in north Suffolk.

Tomorrow, Mr Wilson will be back in Lowestoft when he will be signing copies of his latest novel at Waterstones Bookshop, in London Road North, from 11am to 3pm.

'As a former Lowestoft College lecturer I look forward to meeting many of my former students and colleagues,' said Mr Wilson.