AN ISLE of Wight police officer-turned-author has released a new book ­— the third in his Tom Drake series.

Keith Fleming, a former Carisbrooke Grammar School student, was an Hampshire police officer for 31 years, and a criminal justice case-file manager with a degree in laws.

He is the son of the late Norah Fleming, who was a magistrate on the Island for many years.

Keith's new book is set on the Island, in 1990 — in the days before personal computers and mobile phones.

The futuristic weapons research establishment just outside East Cowes has developed a new weapon, due for testing at Highdown.

The Russians and Chinese have sent agents to spy on the firm, but one ends up dead.

Detective chief inspector, Tom Drake, investigates, but he is already coping with burglaries at large houses, suspected drugs smuggling into Camp Hill Prison by prison warders, and a mini crime wave coinciding with the arrival of a hippy convoy for the summer season.

More murders follow, and events end with an international incident at Niton, throwing the Island into the media spotlight.

Set entirely on the Island, from one end to another, Keith says the book includes a wily old tramp called Patrick Kincaid, the redoubtable Lady de Villiers of Niton, and various colourful characters from the hippy convoy.

He describes it as an enjoyable read with a thrilling ending, and it is available in paperback from Amazon Books, or as an e-book via Kindle.