I always had a vivid imagination and a story started to form in my head based on the Troubles

I always had a vivid imagination and a story started to form in my head based on the Troubles

31 July 2024

A NEWCASTLE man has published his first novel at the age of 72 – and it has proven to be a page-turning thriller.

Gary Wright, who previously worked in financial services, has penned ‘Sweet Revenge Best Served Cold’, a tale of betrayal, redemption and political intrigue.

Set during the Troubles, the story follows the lives of Harry Wallace who lives a blissful life with his wife, Emma, and their two young children, Joanne and Stephen.

However, Harry’s life is devastated by the loss of his family due to an IRA car bomb. 

With the loves of his life being taken from him and having nothing left to lose, Harry commits himself to a life of revenge on the masterminds behind the IRA bomb.

The story depicts a complex web of political intrigue, personal tragedy and moral dilemmas at the height of the Northern Ireland conflict.

Born in East Belfast, Gary was 17 when the Troubles began in Northern Ireland.

Determined never to get involved in any politics or to be embittered by the ongoing violence, ‘Sweet Revenge Best Served Cold’ is informed by Gary’s recollection of events during the conflict.

“Like most people in Northern Ireland, we knew families whose lives were devastated and changed forever by the callous activities of the paramilitaries and the actions or inactions of politicians on all sides,” Gary said.

“I always had a vivid imagination, and a story started to form in my head based around the Troubles.”

Gary’s work in financial services for 30 years offered him valuable life experiences in various different cultures throughout the world, including Australia, the United States and the Middle East.

After working in Glasgow for six years, Gary, his wife, Grace, and their two children, Sonia and Paul, returned to Northern Ireland in 2003 and settled into a new life in Newcastle.

While he was enjoying the relaxing and tranquil scenery of Newcastle, and being an avid member of Spa Golf Club – of which he is a past captain – Gary still had the idea to write a story set during the Troubles.

“The story just kept growing in my mind,” he said.

“Eventually when the time allowed for it, I decided to write all my thoughts down, and the end product was ‘Sweet Revenge Best Served Cold’.

He added: “I consider myself lucky to have had a good career. More importantly than that is my family – my wife, two children, their spouses and four beautiful grandchildren – and having been blessed to have forged long friendships with a group of close friends.”

Independently published, ‘Sweet Revenge Best Served Cold’ is available to purchase on Amazon and Kindle.