Residents at Middleton Hall Retirement Village enjoyed an afternoon of fascinating stories, crime and a little bit of mystery when author Robert N. Crathorne (Neil) visited to share insights from his remarkable life and writing career.
Neil spent an impressive 38 years with HM Prison Service, retiring as a Governor before embarking on a new chapter as an author. He published his first adult novel in 2025 and has since created the atmospheric historical crime series, The Visserskaai Series.
During his visit, Neil shared stories from his career and experiences in the Prison Service, as well as the inspiration behind his writing. His talk took residents on a journey from pre-war Ostend through wartime Europe and beyond, bringing the settings and stories behind his books to life.
The afternoon was both engaging and entertaining, with residents joining in with an interactive quiz and enjoying the opportunity to ask questions and hear more about Neil’s experiences.
To round off the afternoon, Neil kindly signed a copy of his book for one of our residents – a lovely memento from an enjoyable and memorable visit.
Interested in discovering Neil’s books? The Visserskaai Series is available to buy on Amazon HERE.
