“Someone’s going to die… but who?” is crime correspondent turned crime writer Steven Wright’s teasing introduction to his new book.

‘Transferred Malice’ is Steven’s first work of fiction and is a dark and powerful modern day tale of cops and robbers, with the added spice of sex and romance.

The 61-year-old author brings his four decades of journalistic experience – including thirteen years as the crime reporter on the Bradford Telegraph & Argus – to bear in the novel, about a vicious gangster’s lust for revenge on the former detective who sent him to prison.

Steven’s love of horses is also evident with an equestrian theme, providing a gentle contrast to the seedy world of violent crime.

“I was able to use my first-hand knowledge of criminals and detectives to make the book as authentic as possible,” Steven said. “The characters are not based on any one individual, but they, and the plot, are influenced by what I encountered over the years.

“Some of the equestrian bits also have links to my own experiences with my horse, and it would be fair to say there is a bit of my personality in the main character.”

Steven has his partner, Jenny Loweth, the T&A court reporter, to thank for the book title, which is an old legal term.

“It was the perfect title,” he said.

The Leeds-born writer worked for regional and national newspapers for nearly 40 years, starting at the Sheffield Star, where he spent seven years, and then being based in Bradford for the rest of his career. He covered many major stories, including the Hillsborough football disaster and the Yorkshire Ripper.

He is now a care worker in Ilkley and lives with Jenny, who is also an author, and their rescue greyhound, Lily, in Silsden. They also own two horses and Steven has written a series of autobiographical books about his journey with his former racehorse Alexander, culminating in ‘Race To My Dream’ which tells how he brought Alexander out of retirement to ride him in a race at Skipton.

“I got Alexander, or Adelphi Warrior to give him his racing name, when he was six and fresh off the racetrack. I fell off him a lot in the beginning but we have now been together for ten years. We have been on an incredible journey and I love him to bits.”

Steven says there were times when he thought he might never finish writing ‘Transferred Malice.’ But he is already planning a sequel. He has also set up a blog – at transferredmalice.com – for anyone interested in his books or his continuing adventures with Alexander. ‘Transferred Malice’ is available from Amazon Books at £3.75 for the Kindle version and £8.95 in paperback.