Wirral-based writer Jon Mayhew visited St Mary's College in Crosby recently to talk about his debut novel Mortlock.

The book - set in Victorian London and described as ‘an exciting, dark and gruesomely gothic chiller' - is expected to be a big hit with teenage readers nationwide when it is published next month.

One critic has already hailed the novel as a ‘stunning story' which has characters and descriptions reminiscent of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Edgar Allen Poe.

Jon Mayhew took part in a question-and-answer session with pupils and read extracts from the novel, helped by a number of props including a Victorian undertaker's hat as worn by one of the characters in the story.

According to St Mary's Librarian Cath Howard, the author is no stranger to entertaining children as he is a father of four and has taught English for 20 years.

She commented: "Everyone really enjoyed Jon's visit - he got on really well with our pupils and was very entertaining.

"I think Mortlock will prove to be very popular.  It's a gripping, pacy horror story ideally suited to the age group."

St Mary's pupils pictured with Mortlock author Jon Mayhew.