A CIRENCESTER author is celebrating after his latest offering is storming the book charts across the pond.

Inspector Hobbes and the Blood by Cotswold author Wilkie Martin is currently sitting at number two in Amazon’s bestselling comedy Kindle books.

Wilkie, who has lived in the Cotswolds for 30 years, said he was “delighted” with how well the book has been received in the America.

The book has also been popular with people on this side of the Atlantic having reached number 14 in a list of the top books involving British detectives.

Described as a fast-paced crime comedy, Inspector Hobbes and the Blood tells the story of bumbling newspaper reporter, Andy who is left with the task of searching for the missing Inspector Hobbes.

The events of the book are played out in the fictional Cotswold town Sorenchester, which is believed to be loosely based on Cirencester.

Wilkie said: “The book’s narrator, Andy Caplet, fills the same role as Dr Watson in Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories.

“Since the eponymous Hobbes is so different, it provides the reader with a way into his character.”

With a four and a half star rating on Amazon, one online reviewer wrote: “I have never snort-laughed while reading until this book.

“The constant puns, come-agains and twists on words and phrases were part of what made this such a fun read.”

For more information on Wilkie Martin, visit www.wilkiemartin.com.