Author of the urban crime thriller series ‘The King of Gravesend’
HI PETER, CAN YOU GIVE US A SYNOPSIS OF YOUR SERIES ‘THE KING OF GRAVESEND’?
The series follows the story of Chuds Douglas, who was once a big deal in his home town of Gravesend, Kent. He left the country for reasons only hinted at and is deported back to the UK from America after 20 years away. He is left at Heathrow with 200 Canadian Dollars, a sack of clothes and a few personal belongings. Calling on his family, friends and old business colleagues he starts to rebuild his life but falls foul of a new family in town who are involved in illegal activities that make his own chequered past seem positively tame.
With his life back in order, some successful businesses in hand and a new relationship Chuds seems to have everything he needs. Except a challenge. His new businesses takes him to The Philippines where, after flashing too much money in the wrong area, he is kidnapped by Abu Sayyef for ransom. Can his old colleagues get him home?
WHAT ARE YOUR BOOKS’ USPs?
The books are based in Gravesend, the town that I grew up in, and are faithful to the location. Many of the characters and plot points are based on actual people and events that have been somewhat exaggerated into an almost cartoonish state. The fictional stories are woven around people that I knew and places that I grew up in.
The books are full of dark humour, the kind that was our defence mechanism in darker times, the comedy integrates with the stories and people. It was described by a beta reader as being like “Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels had a love child with Only Fools and Horses.” The action scenes are based on personal experiences and while not glorified, they are somewhat realistic.
While the books are inclusive, featuring LGBTQ+ characters, etc. they are not in any way politically correct, but they are funny, have a fast and engaging narrative and will keep you laughing and intrigued.
CAN YOU TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT SOUNDS LIKE AN EVENTFUL LIFE?
Peter was born in Gravesend and spent the first 30+ years of his life there working, amongst other things, as a Cinema Manager, Assistant Entertainments Manager to the Borough and a self-employed businessman. Wanderlust led him to travel to the USA where he discovered a passion for Skydiving. He became a professional Parachute Rigger, Skydiving Instructor and Drop Zone Manager. He made over 7000 jumps including over 2000 Tandems and worked for a major Skydiving Equipment Manufacturer.
It was there that he was introduced to the newly formed Qatar Armed Forces Airborne Group who offered him a position in Qatar with the Joint Special Forces as a rigger and instructor. After working with them for 11 years he retired to The Philippines in 2020, where he lives with his wife, and writes.
ARE YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA? WHERE CAN OUR READERS FIND YOU?
You can find additional info on my work on my website: https://pdraper108.wixsite.com/mysite
I am also on the following social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Editor Note: At the time of the interview, Book Three in the series was yet to be published – it was however released in February 2023. Peter’s books are available for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/~/e/B09DCJCXFY
