The cover of Poisoned Saints by Hertfordshire author Ben Coulter

HERTFORDSHIRE author Ben Coulter’s gritty, drug-related crime debut Poisoned Saints has become a Kindle bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic.

Hertfordshire author Ben Coulter

THERE’S a number of hurdles to overcome when writing a first novel.

For starters, there’s coming up with a decent plot and then getting the book published.

Once completed, there’s the question of finding an audience ready to read your work and whether the critics will like it or not.

Any budding authors out there should take a leaf out of Ben Coulter’s book.

The Hertfordshire writer’s highly-realistic debut crime novel, Poisoned Saints, has become an instant Kindle hit, earning rave reviews.

Hailed as one of the strongest offerings from a new author in recent years, Coulter’s debut release portrays the authentic criminal lifestyle with no holds barred.

Having already staked its place on Kindle’s list of bestsellers, the 32-year-old is now working on follow-ups Keep On Running and When The Saint Comes Marching Home, which he hopes to have ready for release in the summer.

Unlike most new authors, the Letchworth writer has enjoyed success and recognition from day one.

In fact, many critics found it hard to believe he was new to the literary world.

Poisoned Saints bares all of the hallmarks of an international bestseller and has already garnered huge success in the eBook charts.

With a graphic and full-throttle plot, which perfectly illustrates the raw lifestyle of criminals, a rapidly growing number are flocking to secure a copy of the book and enjoy their own piece of a gangster’s paradise.

The plot centres around drug dealer Charlie Paccadillo, a cocaine distributor living in a rundown London overspill.

When the ambitious yet troubled Charlie discovers one of his top dealers mysteriously shot to death, his world is thrown into disarray.

Alice, an unassuming single mother with connections to a rival crew of dealers, soon becomes his only release from the angst, as he searches for answers and battles to control his crumbling criminal empire.

As DI Jack Cloud investigates the murder, Charlie quickly becomes his chief suspect. Looking to solve his first shooting, career-driven Jack will stop at nothing to get the job done.

As author Ben explains, hitting the literary scene has no ‘honeymoon period’.

“I was always well aware that readers would be critically judging my work from day one,” he said.

“Therefore, I couldn’t afford to produce anything less than my best work. I did get the frank and honest appraisals, but thankfully they were all good.”

Poisoned Saints, published by the author, is available from Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats.

For more information, visit the author’s official website at http://bencoulter.wix.com/bencoulter