Newark author Kerry J. Donovan releases book ‘On the Run’, based on former Royal Marine Ryan Kaine, in paperback

A Newark author is combining his love of open water swimming with his scientific expertise to bring his first paperback novel to audiences.

‘On the Run’ is the new novel by Kerry J. Donovan, and is partly set in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

Kerry successfully self-published the series in e-book, selling over a quarter of a million copies - and now it is being published in traditional format paperback for the first time.

On The Run is the first in the series featuring Ryan Kaine, an action hero with a unique background in the elite Special Boat Service - the Royal Navy’s answer to the SAS.

Six miles out to sea in a fishing boat, former Royal Marine Ryan Kaine believes he’s shot down the unmanned drone he was contracted to destroy — until the boat explodes and he is forced to swim for his life.

Then Kaine discovers that he didn’t shoot down a drone, but an aircraft with 83 civilians on board and not only has he been set up, he is now the target of a nationwide manhunt.

The police want him on terrorism charges and a sinister organisation wants him dead. Determined to seek justice at all costs, Kaine resolves to uncover the truth before the net finally closes around him.

Kerry J. Donovan is a former scientific advisor to the government and drew on his years of expertise to write the series.

Kerry helped UK emergency first-responders prepare for chemical and biological attacks in the wake of the 9/11 atrocities.

He said: “I’ve always loved the idea of a lone hero, ever since I watched The 39 Steps where the lead character is accused of murder, I’ve loved that friction of a character trying to prove their innocence, and working out if he is worthy of the ‘hero’ status or not.”

His scientific background combined with a love of open-water swimming lend authenticity to his writing, and he said he now enjoys exploring off-the-beaten track Europe on his motorbike in search of interesting locations for his novels.

Born in Dublin, Kerry is a nephew of the legendary Irish playwright, author, journalist and broadcaster John Purcell O'Donovan. He grew up in a military family in South Wales, and it was here that he found his love of open water swimming.

We first meet Kaine in the North Sea off the coast of Mablethorpe, and after all goes awry with his mission, he makes it to shore near Grimsby.

“I was fed up of reading adventure thrillers which were set in New York,” Kerry explained, “I wanted my hero to be English.”

Kerry settled in Newark four years ago after moving to Nottinghamshire from France, where he lived for 20 years, to be with his partner.

“We were living in Colwick and it was so noisy,” he said, “We found Newark and we love it here, if we have a break we go for a walk around Sconce and Devon Park and it’s beautiful.”

On The Run is available to buy in paperback on Friday February 13.