Professor Richard Vincent, an emeritus professor at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) and one of the founders of the medical school, has published an adventure story for children.
The Marble Curse follows Joe Raven, an inventor of small gadgets with extraordinary power. He and his sister, Beth, discover a mysterious parcel in their garden. Inside is a silver bird, a blank guidebook and a note from an unknown Granelda seeking their help to overcome a vicious curse. Joe and Beth set out on their mission to follow Granelda’s clues. Their journey catapults them back to 1789 where they become embroiled with the spreading curse and its unexpected creator.
In addition to his role at BSMS, Richard also worked as a consultant cardiologist in Brighton hospitals for many years. As well as having more than 120 papers published, he has also produced 60 educational videos and has presented children’s talks.
Richard says: “While living at our home, my grandchildren and I slid easily into playing with ideas that could be the start of a whimsical story. Surprisingly, in spite of my publications until then being entirely academic, the goal of writing a children’s novel for their age-group soon became compelling. But not just as a story; my worlds of medicine, research and teaching elbowed their way in. Fantasy was to be intertwined with glimpses of solid history and science.
“As I stumbled my way through learning how to write for children, the shape of the final version became clear: a playful narrative with puzzles, jeopardy and humour painted on a canvas woven in one way with science, and in the other, mystery. The two strands were to be seen clearly, especially where they crossed; and both were necessary to take the plot forward.”
A short video trailer for the book can be viewed below, and a detailed map of the story’s location (for colouring in) can be downloaded here >
Published by The Book Guild, The Marble Curse will be available from 28 March. It can be ordered online now from Waterstones, WH Smith, Foyles, Amazon.