An Inverness lawyer who once worked in a city vets is celebrating the publication of her debut novel as an author.
Helen Forbes, a civil litigation solicitor specialising in social welfare law, has written a crime thriller based in Inverness.
Now, having carved out a career in the legal industry, she has penned a fictional account about unlawful activities in the city.
In the Shadow of the Hill is about an elderly woman who is found dead in the stairwell of a block of flats, and the subsequent investigation by a local detective.
The book was released on Tuesday, and will be officially launched at an event in the city next week.
While Inverness provides the scene of the crime in the 53-year-old’s debut novel, the story moves to the Isle of Harris where it reaches an exciting climax.
It is a return of sorts for Ms Forbes, who edited a community-based newspaper in the Outer Hebrides where she was once based.
She has also lived and worked in Fife and Edinburgh, where she also studied law after leaving her role as a veterinary nurse in Inverness.
A member of the Highland Literary Salon, she has won awards for her writing, including a commendation from the Highland and Island Short Story Association.
The former Inverness Royal Academy pupil, who was born in Wick and moved to the city aged six, said: “Almost all of the writing I have done has been focused on the Hebrides and I have always been really keen on historical fiction.
“In this story, there is a contrast between what’s going on underneath and the beauty of the place. But I have also tried to balance it so that I haven’t portrayed the area in a bad way.
“I also felt that there really were not many crime-fiction novels set in these areas, particularly Inverness.
“I have really enjoyed writing this novel and it’s something that I would love to keep doing.”
Seonaid Francis, Director of South Uist based ThunderPoint Publishing said: “This self-assured first novel from Helen Forbes evokes a wonderful sense of place from the highland city of Inverness to the islands of the Outer Hebrides.”
An official launch event will take place at Waterstones, Inverness, on November 6, at 6pm.