A passion for crime fiction has inspired a visually impaired Exmouth author to launch a new creative and multi-sensory online community.

Paul Stretton-Stephens, 55, of Morton Crescent, has launched the Crime Fiction Lounge, a Facebook community group aimed at writers and readers of the genre.

Paul, a former Royal Marine, is a published author and in June released his most recent novel, Shades of Loyalty, as the sequel to The Plastic Paradigm.

Paul wants the community to provide a ‘genre-specific, well-informed service to avid crime fiction readers’, as well as being the go-to place for crime fiction fans.

He said: “Being a reader and a writer, I love crime fiction – I always have. And after talking to a few like-minded people, I realised there was a need for a haven for crime fiction fans, covering sub genres within.”

Paul uses his own experiences, like serving as a Royal Marine, to inform his creative projects. As a visually impaired writer, he has constructed the Crime Fiction Lounge as an inclusive space for people to enjoy the genre.

He said: “I want to create a web presence that’s appealing to both readers and authors alike.

“I also wanted to make it multi-sensory, by adding a podcast where I will be interviewing some of the best authors in the genre.”

Paul wants to offer a selected range of titles, reviews, crime-fiction events, news, and more, to be accessed via the group and members are encouraged to participate themselves, sharing what they love about the ‘wonderful’ genre.

As well as following the exploits of fictional protagonist Jack Jago, Paul’s own books deal with a variety of serious issues.

Some of these include mankind’s impact on the environment and the issue of post traumatic stress disorder and the armed forces.

Paul supports a number of charities on his website, including iSight Cornwall, Blind Veterans UK, the Royal Marines Charity, Help for Heroes and Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.

There are also plans to extend the Crime Fiction Lounge to include an online shop selling gifts suitable for fans of the genre.

To find out more or to join the community visit the Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/crimefictionlounge