A RETIRED GP turned author launched her new book in her own back garden to beat the Covid-19 restrictions.

Dr Anne Pettigrew wanted to thank all her loyal readers and sign copies of her second novel 'Not the Deaths Imagined'.

She turned to writing after more than 30 years with the Ardgowan practice in Greenock.

Following the success of her debut 'Not the Life Imagined', Anne's lead character medical student Dr Beth Semple is back.

In her latest tittle, time has moved on a few years and Dr Beth is now an established GP in a family practice - and faced with a serial killer.

Writer Anne, of Skelmorlie, said: "The launch of my first book Not the Life Imagined at the Beacon was a big highlight.

"I couldn't do that again because of Covid-19 so I organised an event in my garden.

"It was lovely to see all my old friends.

"It was delightful chatting to old patients and friends out the back."

Anne, who suffers from asthma, has been isolating throughout the coronavirus outbreak but used the time to write a blog to help support people feeling isolated.

She was supported at her launch by friends from the Greenock Writers' Club, including Grahame Anderson and Margaret Grant, as well as author Stephanie MacDonald.

Nominated at Bloody Scotland 2019 as ‘one to watch in crime writing', Anne has received rave reviews for her second book.

It is described as a 'medical noir' novel in which Dr Semple finds herself juggling family and friendships as she tracks down a killer in nineties West of Scotland.

Like her first book, it covers many issues and addresses the difficulties of whistle-blowing in the NHS and the problems women can face in struggling to make themselves heard.

Once again Anne is using her work to support Plan UK, a charity which helps girls across the globe get access to education.

Her new book, released by Glasgow non-profit Publisher Ringwood, is available now.