Novelist Martin Blake, who lived in Ely until 2007, has used his knowledge of the back lanes and darker corners of Cambridge to build the plot of his new psychological thriller, ‘Out of Time’.

The book’s central character, Rosemary Torrance, works with medieval manuscripts at Cambridge University Library.

‘There are hidden recesses in the library,’ said Mr Blake.

‘The lighting is often low, and when you’re alone you find yourself looking over your shoulder, however much you tell yourself you don’t believe in that sort of thing.

“When you’re searching out a manuscript once owned by John Dee, your imagination can easily run away with you,” he added.

A number of other Cambridge locations feature in the book, including Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Champion of the Thames pub in King Street; the latter, he admits, was a personal indulgence.

“It was always one of my favourite pubs as a student, so it was no hardship to go back and do some further research!”

‘Out of Time’ is published by New Generation Publishing, and is available through local bookshops and from online retailers. To read an extract from the novel visit www.martinblake.me.uk