A DROITWICH actor whose debut novel was chosen as WHSmith’s book of the month and is set to be translated into numerous languages has described the experience as an ‘amazing ride’ so far.
Ross Armstrong, who grew up in Droitwich, attending Ombersley First School and Westacre Middle, released his compelling psychological thriller The Watcher on December 29 and has since seen it skyrocket to success.
Published by HarperCollins, the book incorporates themes of gentrification and changing Britain, following the story of a Lily, a mysterious character who is obsessed with spying on her neighbours as if they were birds.
The 34-year-old has worked as an actor in such TV programmes as Ripper Street, Jonathan Creek and Foyles War and found inspiration for the novel after finishing a show at the Royal Shakespeare Company and moving into a London flat.
Describing the book as ‘Girl On The Train meets Fight Club, meets Rear Window’, Ross told The Standard: “I feel in London and further afield, we’re a diverging society that know our neighbours less and less.
“One day I realised I could see into many of the flats of the other buildings and could see all sorts of different people going about their lives with no idea of what each other were up to past the walls either side of them.
“I instantly had to look away, but wanted to create a character who couldn’t.
“At the same time, I just really wanted to create the type of twisting and compelling psychological thriller that I always loved to watch and read when growing up.”
The Watcher has been chosen as ‘Book of the Month’ by WHSmith and will also be released in America, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.
“The book is getting a great response and for a debut author that’s really important, I’m so grateful to all who read and review.
“Ever since I had the book accepted by my brilliant agent, it’s been an amazing ride,” he added.
The Watcher is currently available from www.whsmith.co.uk for £8.99.
