Local thriller fans can get a taste of it when Gail, from Common Lane, in Kings Langley, does a reading and signing at Corbetts Bookshop, in Tring, on Saturday, October 11, from 11am to 1pm.

All eight reviews on Amazon agree that the story, written by the novelist, is a real page turner from the very start.

Gail said: "I wrote the story 10 years ago, when I was working full time as a philosophy lecturer, but I couldn't get it published, even though I had an agent who loved it.

"It has been influenced by philosophy. I would say it's a low brow page turner with high brow ideas behind. It includes quotes from Shakespeare and Freud – both writers, who inspire me to write."

The modern day story based on Hamlet is set in Primrose Hill, London, where 47-year-old Gail lived for many years.

In the book Susan's dead father returns from the grave to tell her who his killer was and asks her to avenge his murder before his stone setting otherwise his soul will wander the earth forever.

But will anyone take her side? Her past riddled with drug and alcohol abuse and promiscuous relationships taints her credibility.

And to make matters worse, Susan discovers her father's brother is having a passionate affair with her mother.

"I liked the idea of doing Hamlet with a female lead," explained Gail. "The idea of a dead father is quite powerful. My father died when I was young. Looking back I think that may have been a strong impulse behind the book."

Dance to Your Daddy is available from Waterstones, Amazon and Corbetts Bookshop, in Tring.