A former regional newspaper journalist has penned his first novel – a crime thriller featuring the gruesome murder of a newspaper chief.

Nigel McDermid, who worked at the Yorkshire Evening Post for 20 years, has released the story as an e-book through Amazon.

Entitled DCI Costello: Dear Vinnie, the story features the trials and tribulations of a top-ranking detective – and opens with the killing of a newspaper boss.

The 55-year-old, who started out at the Pudsey News aged 21 and went on to become a sub-editor, has previously written a biography of boxer Derek Roche, which was released 11 years ago.

“The crime aspect of it is almost secondary in many ways. It gives you the chance to write a story about the human character at its best and its worst,” he said.

He has published the thriller in association with Leeds-based York Place Media.

He said: “Ebooks are a relatively new concept but are definitely growing in popularity – probably because they’re so cheap to buy.”