Harrogate’s ex-Cold Bath Deli owner publishes first novel

A BAFTA-nominated investigations journalist who lives in Harrogate has published his first novel.

Peter Woolrich, who along with his wife Tracey used to run Cold Bath Deli on Cold Bath Road, spent 12 years working on A Corroded Soul.

The novel is based on his own life as it tells the story of a 50-year-old journalist with questionable character traits who evaluates himself after his mother’s death.

Mr Woolrich said:

“During my career I had guns, knives and a samurai sword pulled on me. I’ve worked for national newspapers, magazines and television.

“In writing my book, you might say I’ve turned the spotlight on myself rather than criminals.”

Peter Woolrich

Peter Woolrich

The novel is set in a fictional village similar to the one Mr Woolrich grew up in and is the first in a planned trilogy.

A Corroded Soul‘s main character, Daniel Connah, uses his difficult relationship with his mother as justification for multiple character flaws, including stealing and being a social misfit and sex addict.

Mr Woolrich, along with Daniel, said he also felt unloved by his mother. When Mr Woolrich’s mother died after a car crash, he was consumed with anger, abandonment and feeling bereft and the book explores whether emotional neglect can be as damaging as physical.

He said:

“Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t beaten or sexually abused in horrific circumstances like many youngsters, but it’s amazing how many people feel damaged by being raised in an unloving environment.

“Some readers have said Prince Harry expresses similar sentiments in his book. Perhaps it’s a question of where we think individual responsibility begins and ends.”

A Corroded Soul is available in bookshops and can be viewed/ordered here.

The book launch, which is open to everyone, is being held upstairs at North Bar in Harrogate at 7pm on April 6.

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