Code for a best seller
THE Da Vinci Code has sold millions of copies around the world - and one Coventry author has penned a book with links to the bestseller.
Former teacher Maxwell Field, aged 55, of Stoney Road, Cheylesmore, has just had his first book, The Carthusian Connection, published after 10 years of research.
It goes back to the days of Mary Magdalene and early Christianity - similar to the period covered in Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown.
His novel has proved a phenomenon, selling millions of copies worldwide and topping the bestseller lists for weeks. The book is now being made into a Hollywood film starring Tom Hanks.
Mr Field, who works as a tape librarian for West Midlands Police in Coventry, is hoping his book will now enjoy success because of the huge interest in the period that has been sparked by The Da Vinci Code. He says anyone who enjoyed reading that would also find his book interesting.
Just like Da Vinci Code, it covers, in part, the Priory of Sion and claimed links between Jesus, Mary Magdalene and bloodline to the French Meroviangian kings.
Mr Field said: "Following 10 years of hard work and perseverance it is a pleasure to see it published and I believe my findings are interesting and quite shocking."
The father-of-two also taught French at King Henry VIII School, in Warwick Road, city centre, for 22 years until 1999, and is still a GCSE French examiner.
His book can be ordered from bookshops including Ottakar's and Waterstone's or at his publisher's website at: www.fivepin.co.uk from the history and biography section.
* Mr Field's father, Dennis, aged 82, of Middleborough Road, Radford, is having his first book, called Boy, Bullets and Bomber, published in the next six months.
Excerpts from the book have already been used by historian David McGrory in his nostalgia column in the Evening Telegraph.