John Dean – Crime Writer

Writing group The Inkers has paid tribute to the historic role that its hometown played in the development of the railways 200 years ago, with the publication of a collection of short stories, including one by best-selling crime writer John Dean.

Inspired by the 2025 bicentenary of the world’s first passenger service – the Stockton and Darlington Railway – A Trainful Of Stories is a vibrant anthology of short stories, memoir and poetry written by members of the group.

Based in the south Durham town of Darlington, they have come up with a collection that ranges from crime and fantasy to science fiction, and offers a rich variety of tone and style, all bound together by the overarching theme of railway travel.
Within its pages you’ll find content including a poetic reflection on the Underground Railroad, a Eurostar journey to Germany to claim a long-forgotten legacy, and a whimsical day-trip to Whitby featuring a talking tortoise.
The Inkers, a community of creative writers based at the Friends’ Meeting House in Skinnergate, Darlington, invite readers to climb aboard, take a seat, and travel through landscapes both real and imaginary.

The Inkers emerged from the Inkerman Writers, which was created by students attending John Dean’s creative writing classes at the Friends’ Meeting House more than twenty years ago. John moved from Darlington to South West Scotland eight years ago but remains a member of the writing group.

Costing £8.99 for the paperback and £1.99 for the e-book, the book can be purchased on Amazon at https://www.amazon.co.uk/TRAINFUL-STORIES-INKERS-ebook/dp/B0FLTRZ8RN/