AN AIRDRIE author has been inspired to write a dark and disturbing tale during lockdown.
Darren Tarditi Wilson, from Burnfoot, an IT support manager, has self-published his inaugural novella Niegfrid using his familiar surroundings as inspiration for the story.
And although it is the first time Darren, 39, has dipped his literary toes into the crime genre, it has already received rave reviews.
However, the spine-tingling supernatural crime thriller is not for the faint-hearted.
It focuses on its protagonist top detective Sergeant Stevie McBride, who has the task of investigating a brutal and horrific murder, which has shaken the town of Airdrie to its core.
But solving the crime will see the cop face an evil entity intent on world domination.
Darren told the Advertiser: "This is my first novella. It's a bit of crime, supernatural and horror.
"It's based around Airdrie, I thought why not do one set in your home town.
"I started it last year, but during the recent lockdown it gave me some time to finish it."
And Darren, who lives in Upperton with wife Jan and sons Dexter, 10, and Alistair, 22, confirmed that she was the driving force behind him seeing his book in print.
He explained: "Jan always told me to go for it. She said 'you've always had a great imagination'.
"We got it done, but work has started to get busy again, so I'm lucky to have finished it when I did."
And the former St Andrew's High pupil is eager for the wider Monklands public to read his macabre tale.
He added: "I would just love people to read it and enjoy it to take their minds off the monotony of lockdown."
Niegfrid is now available to buy on paperback or e-book via Amazon, and to download on Kindle.
