A NEW chapter has opened in the life of a Durham Police call handler who has turned crime writer.

Kerry Richardson’s first novel “With Deadly Intent” has been published and is receiving rave reviews.

Her introduction to crime was as a trainee crime scene investigator studying at Teesside University and she secured a degree in crime scene investigation before joining Durham Constabulary and transferring to Northumbria Police to specialise in investigating volume crime.

Her move back to Durham and current job followed a short spell in Northumbria communications department.

Born in Darlington, the 38-year-old says while she has always enjoyed writing she had never thought of it as a career, until a visit to a psychic.

“I’d written short stories and poetry for my own pleasure but, believe it or not, a trip to a psychic made me stop and think that there could be more to my ability as a writer than I’d imagined."

Ms Richardson began writing seriously about six-years-ago and her 2011 Master’s dissertation became the first 20,000 words of “With Deadly Intent” – a fictional story about a serial killer.

She says that while her time working for police forces has proved useful for an author specialising in crime writing, it was not quite as she planned it.

“From being a child, all I wanted to do was become a cop,” she said.

“Unfortunately, while I was trying to ensure I was fit enough to fulfil my dream I dislocated one of my knees.

“The problem kept reoccurring to the point where I had to abandon my plan.

“However, I really enjoy working as a call handler.”

With Deadly Intent is available in paperback and eBook.