A regional publisher’s magazine editor has quit her job after signing a contract to write historical murder mystery novels.

Tessa Harris, left, has been the editor of Berkshire Life since 2005 but has now signed a three-book deal with a US publisher to write the novels.

She has worked for Archant for eight years and left the company before Christmas, but hopes to continue freelancing for its titles.

Tessa’s first novel will be called The Anatomist’s Apprentice and its part of a series called The Dr Thomas Silkstone Mysteries.

She said: “I shall be taking with me some very fond memories of my time with Archant. To have seen the titles with which I have been associated grow so strongly has been very exciting.

“In the course of my work I’ve met some extraordinary characters, from the likes of Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Terence Conran to amazing people who have helped so many lives through fundraising. I also met the Queen twice!

“It’s been hard work, but fun and I’d like to say thank you to the ad teams and the designers who’ve helped make it such a dynamic working environment. I’ll miss them all.”