There is something about Felixstowe that inspires creativity and author Iain Maitland epitomises the literary talent, which oozes from the resort.

With its miles of beaches to meander along, woods to wander through, Iain has immersed himself in the relative tranquillity of this Suffolk resort to produce another book, which, paradoxically, explores the murderous dark underbelly of LGBTQ+ exploitation and discrimination.

Set across the East of England, The Scribbler is the eponymous serial killer with a startling, and unmistakable, signature left on the victims' torsos.

On the case are gnarly old DI Roger Gayther, doesn't do mobile phones and computers, and is partnered with bright young thing DC Georgia Carrie, who was not even born when The Scribbler began his reign of terror in the 1980s, and resources were not exactly poured into solving crimes on the gay community.

A fresh killing, bearing all The Scribbler's hallmarks, brings a different response in these more enlightened times and cold cases are reopened in order to catch the killer.

The Scribbler is a patient, slow moving, almost creepy pursuit of a devious deviant, which goes to places few would even known existed.

The long walks with his dogs towards Felixstowe Ferry one day, past the pier or into Grove Woods on other days, gives him time to delve into the minds of all his characters, which has caught him somewhat by surprise.

"I used to hear all these authors say how their characters took on lives of their own and think 'what a load of old rubbish' but they really do,'' said Iain.

"Although I try and write 1,000 words a day and know what the beginning and end is going to be, my walks probably do help me to be creative."

Loosely using unsolved murders of gay men in London, and killer in America known as the Doodler that was never caught, Iain also uses his skills and experience of mental health issues to get into the mind of The Scribbler, and the pursuers.

A full-time writer for 30 years, two non-fiction books on mental health, Dear Michael, Love Dad, which focused on his relationship with his son, and Out of the Madhouse, gave Iain the freedom to explore writing thrillers with a psychological thread.

An ambassador for Stem4, the teenage mental health charity, Iain also speaks on mental health issues in the workplace and seeing his son Michael thrive, he is a tattooist in Felixstowe and doing really well in his life, has also helped Iain with his writing.

Thrillers Sweet William and Mr Todd's Reckoning, which came out last year, have been a success, with the latter being optioned for TV by Abbott Vision, producers of critically acclaimed TV dramas including No Offence, Exile and Hit & Miss. Filming should commence once lockdown is over.

Another book is also in progress, with 3 Bluebell Lane due out next year.

Iain said: "It has been an absolute joy to be able to write creatively. Although lockdown has been really awful in so many ways, it has given people with time on their hands the chance to be creative, whether that is writing, painting, drawing or anything else."

Like most writers, Iain has had his setbacks but the success of Dear Michael, Love Dad, and now having Mr Todd's Reckoning televised, totally vindicates his single-minded determination and self-belief and he offers this advice for aspiring authors.

"Write, write and keep writing and always believe you are right," said Iain. "I had 18 months of rejection but always thought what I was doing was right, yes listen to feedback and evolve, but believe in yourself.

"Then, enjoy the moment when it comes, because when it does come, it is great."

The Scribbler, released by Contraband Books, is out now. Click to view on  Amazon UK.