A RETIRED nurse has proved she has a talent for writing after having her first crime novel published.

Kath Radford, who lives in Darlington, has seen her first crime novel, Beyond Belief, in print.

After training as a nurse, Ms Radford joined the Army, spending two years in Germany.

On returning to civilian life, she became a sister at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

From Yorkshire, she has a masters degree in psychology, pioneering bereavement follow-up services in intensive care unit (ICU), and was awarded the McKeown Medal for her contribution to the art and science of nursing.

After taking early retirement, Ms Radford turned to writing and joined Darlington writing group Inkerman Writers.

She has already had her first two short stories published, receiving an award for one.

Beyond Belief is a crime story in which a killer strikes at a fictional hospital, where a senior sister exposes the murderer.

Ms Radford said: “I have been able to draw on my long experience in the nursing profession to create what I hope is an intense crime thriller. It really is a dream come true for me.”

■ Beyond Belief is published by Legend Press and is available from online book stores amazon.co.uk and barnesandnobel.com