New book

George Barry: Peril in the Palm Oasis, published by The Book Guild at £9.99, is the new book from Jesse Basset who lives in Hove.

It is available online at Foyles, Waterstones, Hive, T.G. Jones and Amazon.

Jesse, aged 53, said: “George Barry: Peril in the Palm Oasis is an exploration of British identity and what connects us and pulls us apart. It’s about friendship, love and loyalty, the connections we make and how they ebb and flow. It’s significant to me as it is important as a society to search for shared ideas to bring us together.

“I thought that setting a story in a British enclave in Spain would be the perfect vehicle for exploring these themes. Readers of my first book had also mentioned they thought the main character George Barry was a bit like Don Quixote so that helped guide my thoughts.

“George strives for his high ideals regardless of the consequences. I’m interested in the idea of how utopian thinking falls short in reality but is essential for change. In a world where everything is analysed and critiqued, this sort of idealism is hard to find.

“In the planning of the book, I found out about the world’s largest fancy dress party in Benidorm which is predominantly attended by Brits. This felt like the perfect place to seek inspiration so I went on a research trip to the party. The crazy sights and scenes of the place, which often feels like Blackpool on steroids, helped me in thinking about the story.

“I think George Barry: Peril in the Palm Oasis will appeal to people who love humorous writing that explores big ideas in a warm-hearted way with great characters. It’s fun, fast-paced and set in Spain so the perfect holiday read.”

Jesse added: “George Barry is a retired council administrator. With the help of his alter ego, Fairness Man, he tries to make the world a better place. I was thinking about what could be a good setting to place George Barry, with his ideals of an inclusive, tolerant society. I thought, what better than a community of British expats and holidaymakers who reject the local culture? A group who would never consider themselves immigrants, seeing themselves as superior to the locals.

“The starting point for the book is George and his wife, Nancy, visiting the Palm Oasis residential complex. They are spending some time away to rekindle their relationship but George soon gets distracted when the Palm Oasis social committee announces a patriotic Great British Week. This awakens his alter ego, Fairness Man, and he sets off on a quest to fight small-mindedness and injustice.

“The book is aimed at those who enjoy humour as a way of exploring the world we live in and the relationships we make.

“I love the writing process and freeing the imagination. I plan to a point, letting ideas float in my head for many weeks or months, but the story flows as I go so the plot can take turns that come out of nowhere and entertain. While there is anxiety in trying to get it right, the enjoyment beats that every time.

“Peril in the Palm Oasis is the second in a series of books. The first, George Barry: Lost in Burhampton, was set in a fictional village in Surrey. In the story you witness the birth of George’s alter ego, Fairness Man, and his mission to fight social injustice and small-mindedness. With his work done domestically, he is ready to spread his wings on the international stage.”