THE son of acclaimed Greenock author Cathy MacPhail is carving out a successful career in his own ‘write’.

It’s been a hectic time for David MacPhail, whose latest book — Top-Secret Grandad - Death By Tumble Dryer — was released last week.

The 44-year-old found success with Thorfinn the Nicest Viking, which spawned a series, and is hoping his new book captures the imagination of slightly older readers.

He said: “I wanted to write a funny mystery story for kids, a real whodunnit, so Top Secret Grandad is what I came up with. 

“It’s set in Glasgow and involves lots of weird and wacky mysteries. It has ghosts, mysteries to solve and it is also hopefully quite funny.”

Busy David, who lives with his wife Suzanne and their three-year-old daughter Isla, has already penned a follow-up which will be out next year, plus a story about Alexander Selkirk, a Scotsman who was stranded on a remote island and became the inspiration for Robinson Crusoe.

David has also been collaborating with his award-winning mum on White Feather, a title set at the end of the Great War which will mark the 100th anniversary of WW1 next year.

He said: “I wrote one part and my mum wrote the other then we swapped over to rewrite what each of us had written.

“It’s really quite poignant.”

David is also hoping to visit schools in Inverclyde after the holidays and is particularly keen to return to one local primary.

He said: “I’ve been to Inverkip Primary and in all the schools I’ve been to, it’s one of the best.

“The children are absolutely fantastic.”

Death by Tumble Dryer, published by Floris Books and aimed at eight to 12-year-olds, is available from all major book shops and Amazon.