The Scottish writer who just can't leave Majorca behind

PALMA
AUTHOR Peter Kerr may no longer live in Majorca but the island is still providing a rich vein of inspiration.
Kerr's successful series of travel books about life on the island, Snowball Oranges, Mañana Mañana, Viva Mallorca!, A Basketful of Snowflakes, culminated with From Paella to Porridge, published in 2006, which tells of the Kerr family's last year on Majorca and how they adapted to life back in East Lothian.

But though the family returned home, Majorcan locations continues to feature in Kerr's books.
His latest, The Cruise Connection, is the third in the comic Bob Burns Investigates series, which follows the exploits of the eponymous Scottish detective inspector in various glamorous locations.

Following on from The Mallorca Connection and The Sporran Connection, this latest humour adventures, which, as usual, features Bob's sidekicks, forensic scientist Julie Bryson and rookie detective Andy Green, sees Bob investigating how a severed finger ended up in a cruise ship passenger's quiche. Does it belong to a man who is alleged to fallen overboard? Or is it a clever insurance scam?

As usual, a number of familiar locations feature in the book, including the Bar Bosch, the Hotel Palas Atenea and the Son Vida Estate.
As if to prove his loyalty to Majorca, Peter's following book, a romantic adventure called The Gannet Has Landed is also set on the island.
Kerr is obviously a familiar name as a writer here since the publication of his travel books revealed a side of the island perhaps only known to residents.

But the prolific author has also enjoyed success in the music industry.
His career as a musician began in his native Scotland when he was the clarinetist leader of jazz band The Clyde Valley Stompers in the 1960s. The Stompers enjoyed success with a recording of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf and worked with Beatles' producer George Martin, as well as with well-known names on TV such as Shirley Bassey, Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield and the Beatles.

Later, as a producer, Kerr enjoyed success with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards' version of Amazing Grace.
The Cruise Connection is published next month; The Gannet Has Landed is due out in July.