The founder of Mystery Guides, local author, Jack Wells, has chosen to set his latest book in Southsea. The book, which is something the whole family can enjoy, includes many landmarks and historical events.
Jack, recent winner of the ‘Start Up Business of the Year’ in the Business Excellence Awards 2021, was inspired to create the book based on his love of history and the place he calls home.
“I’ve created a fictional story that is based on fact and incorporates local history. I was born here and the history is something that I love about the place.
“You will find reference to the Spithead Mutiny, Mary Rose and the Battle of Southsea. People can learn a lot about the place as they walk round Southsea picking up clues.
“This definitely isn’t a history book but it is full of historical snippets that I hope people will find interesting,” he said.
Having studied history at university, Jack put his love of the past to good use by leading guided tours of Old Portsmouth. This further developed with a treasure hunt element.
“I ended up developing an app because I wasn’t always available to conduct the tours. Then, I wrote my first Mystery Guides book.
“The book ended up being more successful than the app. From there, I’ve gone on to write a whole series,” he said
Jack will be launching his Southsea edition of Mystery Guides at the Queens Hotel on Friday August 6. Characters from ‘Southsea Mystery Adventure’ will be brought to life and there will be the chance to meet the author.
The Queens Hotel is featured in the book and is supporting Jack’s venture. Everyone who buys a copy at the launch event will be entered into a prize draw. One of the prizes is a family ticket for the final Kids’ Party of the summer on August 23. A grand prize of an overnight stay for two will also be on offer to the family that solves all the clues in the book and reveals the mystery. Participants need to tag the hotel in photos as they travel around Southsea.
General Manager Catherine Austen said: “We love the idea that Jack’s book is something that families can follow to find out more about Southsea. It’s an activity that kids and parents can do together in the summer holidays.”
For more details follow the Queens Hotel on social media.
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2nd August 2021
