Fans of the Whitstable Pearl Mystery Series have the chance to see a character named after them in a future book.

Author Julie Wassmer, who pens the popular crime novels, has teamed up with independent bookshop Harbour Books to offer fans the chance to see their name featured in Murder on the Downs - set for release in 2020.

The Whitstable Pearl books tell the story of private detective and restaurateur Pearl Nolan, and her stormy relationship with Canterbury-based DCI Mike McGuire.

Now a free prize draw is offering one lucky winner the chance to have a character named after the series' next instalment.

Prizes also include signed copies of Murder Fest - the sixth Whitstable Pearl Mystery novel, which was released on May 9.

The competition is open until midday on May 25, when Ms Wassmer will be at Harbour Books to sign copies of Murder Fest and choose the winners.

Ms Wassmer said: “Though the books are classic whodunits, I hope this ‘will they, won’t they’ love affair provides as much of a compulsive serial element within the books as the storylines of the TV soaps I used to write for.

“My new book, Murder Fest, features Whitstable’s twinning association with Borken in Germany, and the murder of a famous author at a local literary festival.”

To enter the competition, visit Harbour Books in Harbour Street, Whitstable.

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