A BRIDGWATER author is delighted to know his crime thrillers have become a hit across the pond.

Adam Nicholls now has 30 books to his name and his trilogy of stories about detective Mason Black, set in San Francisco, have become big sellers in the United States.

"Anyone who knows me will also know that I've always had a flare for theatrical," Adam says.

"However I can't sing or dance so I put those theatrics into the only outlet I know, and that is to write."

Adam said he had always enjoyed reading crime thrillers, and so describes it as a 'no-brainer' to dive into that genre for his stories.

"James Patterson is the man who turned me into an author, but it is the people around me who inspire my stories," said Adam.

"A lot of people in Bridgwater have remarkable stories to tell, and although I can't say any of my characters are strictly based on them, I certainly draw inspiration from their background and quirks."

Mr Nicholls said although he knew he was aiming for a US audience when he wrote the Mason Black trilogy.

"What I didn't know was how big it was going to be," he said.

"Each instalment in that series became bestsellers almost overnight, and I suppose that had something to do with the setting.

"San Francisco is the perfect location for my detective to track down a serial killer, and I guess that locale drew in a large new readership.

"After that I went on to write some psychological thrillers which saw even greater success."

Adam says he and his wife enjoy travelling, joking that they often justify holidays as an excuse to 'research the next novel'.

In terms of what's next for Mr Nicholls, he says he has no intention of slowing down.

"More often than not I find myself simultaneously editing the last book, writing the current one and plotting the next," he says.

"My work in progress will be my thirtieth publication and I'm really excited to push that to the next milestone.

"Right now I love what's happening for my career and I have no plans on slowing down. Besides, having a few more books in the world can never be a bad thing."

To find out more about Adam and his books, visit adamnichollsauthor.co.uk.