A writer who has used real-life settings within the district to base his latest crime novel was officially published on Saturday.

Stephen Skippen, from Buckhurst Hill, penned his fourth book ‘East End Closure’ which continues a series he first started back in 2012.

The author, formally a financial advisor within the capital, has used his own personal experiences and fascination on criminal stories and gangs well-known within Essex and London.

Several scenes are set within the Epping Forest including High Beach, North Weald Airfield Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.

The plot of his latest novel says: “London’s East End is a melting pot for good and bad – always has been– always will be. The actions of East End criminals caused Paul Ryan to leave the military and return to his roots in order to avenge his father’s death. He thought he had tidied that up.

“Now, further down the line, he prevents an assassination attempt on a government minister only to find himself prey for other undesirables. He really doesn’t need this when there are more dangerous adversaries within the East London Badlands.”

“When I started writing it was always going be about crime because that was the genre I was always interested in since I was a boy I was always interested in escapes and adventure,” said Mr Skippen. “I often use actual places to add realism to my writing and tailor them to suit my purposes.”

Growing up in the heart of east London, the writer saw first-hand how infamous crimes lords and such as the Kray twins would impact communities.

According to Mr Skippen, seeing robberies and fights take place from Poplar to Plaistow were considered almost part of everyday life.

When asked how he gains inspiration for plots and characters, he said: “I let the well fill up really, what I find is there is some writers who will publish three books a year but I let my mind go and then it just comes to me.

“At the moment I know how the fifth novel will start, I am planning to use North Weald Airfield as the setting. You just put the character there and let it take me away.”

‘East End Conclusion’ including his other titles is available to download via Amazon Kindle now, visit

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VCMDZQ2

for more details.