A RYEDALE woman who spent her working life travelling the world as a diplomat last night launched her debut novel inspired by her intriguing career.

Jean Harrod, from Hutton le Hole, launched her book "Deadly Diplomacy" at a special event at Gray's Court Hotel in York yesterday evening.

Jean's 30 year career with the diplomatic service took her across the globe, and saw her work in China, Australia, Indonesia, Brussels, Turks and Caicos, and East Berlin.

Her first novel draws on that experience to tell the tale of a British consul catapulted into a murder investigation in Australia.

Jean said: "I have always written, throughout my career I wrote reports and briefings, and I have always wanted to write novel.

"I have written some plays and had them staged at the Theatre Royal in York. It is through the courses they run that I got into writing plays."

Her debut novel took Jean two years to complete, a process she said was both enjoyable and difficult.

"It's hard making the leap to creative writing," she added.

Jean's novel sees diplomat Jess Turner working as the British consul in Canberra - a location where Jean herself was once deputy high commissioner.

When a British businesswoman is murdered in a Queensland resort, she is sent north to liaise with the police and speak to the dead woman's family.

Jean added: "As a consul you are responsible for the British community in a country, and people do get themselves into all sorts of trouble. If someone was murdered, you would go out there."

The book has been published by local venture York Authors Coffee shop - set up to help writers in the city see their work in print.

The launch event last night was held at Grays Court Hotel, where Jean and other writers often meet to discuss their work.

She said: "Helen Heraty at Grays Court has always supported us. We meet once a month, and she lets us use the library at the hotel, so when I was deciding where to hold the event it seemed right to go where they had supported us."

On Thursday, October 30 Jean will hold another book signing and sales event at Waterstones on Coney Street, from 7-9pm.