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Crime novel fan pays £2500 to star in Ann Cleeves book

Mar 15 2009 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

A CRIME novel fan has paid a four-figure sum to get a starring role in the next book by Ann Cleeves, through an unusual charity auction launched by the best selling writer.

Novelist Ann, 54, of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, has an army of loyal readers who have become hooked on her Shetland series of novels, all of which unfold in the Scottish isles.

Ann spends much time in the Shetlands researching her novels, where she has also made many friends, and she was left deeply upset after young local girl Vaila Harvey lost her battle with cancer last year.

She gave one fan the chance to be immortalised in print forever, by bidding for their name to appear in her fourth Shetland book — provisionally titled Homecoming Blues — as one of the characters.

The auction was designed to raise cash for Vaila’s Fund, a charity set up by Vaila’s parents Liz and Paul Harvey following the 16-year-old’s death.

And the highest bid received was £2500 from Douglas Barr, of the Clyde Valley, who has also become friends with Vaila’s parents through trips to the Scottish Isles.

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