What to expect...
Tom Cunliffe is one of the best-known and most respected figures in British sailing.
A lifelong sailor, author, journalist and broadcaster, he has spent decades sharing his adventures, expertise and stories through books, magazines, television and public speaking. He has written more than thirty books on sailing and seamanship, and is renowned for his entertaining and humorous after-dinner speeches.
This special Parkstone Yacht Club evening marks a new chapter in Tom's career as he talks about his first novel, Hurricane Force. Inspired by his own experiences at sea and set in the Caribbean of the 1970s, the book combines sailing adventure, intrigue, corruption, romance and, naturally, some very serious weather. The novel has already attracted enthusiastic reviews from both sailors and general readers alike. Indeed, the best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith, who visited PYC last year, has referred to Tom as "the Dick Francis of the sea".
During the evening, Tom will share the story behind the book, explain how a man known for writing sailing and navigation books came to write a thriller, and reflect on a life that has taken him from the Norfolk Broads to oceans all over the world. Expect fascinating stories, plenty of humour and the sort of yarn-spinning for which Tom is famous.
There will be an interval during the evening, giving everyone the chance to visit the bar.
Copies of Hurricane Force will be available to purchase on the night and Tom will be delighted to sign them afterwards. Whether you're a sailor, a reader, or simply enjoy a good story, this promises to be a memorable evening. And with Christmas only a few weeks away, a personally signed copy could make a rather excellent present.