Leicester graduate tracks serial thrillers

Charles Norton, who graduated from the University's School of English in 2008, has compiled a new book that explores the adventure serial phenomenon that swept the nation at the end of the Second World War.

The BBC's radio serials sparked the craze for daring adventurers, leading The Times to comment in 1946 that the broadcaster "seems bent on turning the children into a new kind of drug addict for…serial thrillers".

Featuring such lively characters as Dick Barton - Special Agent, Dan Dare, Pilot of the Future, Captain "Jet" Morgan (of 'Journey into Space') and detective Paul Temple, Serial Thrillers contains detailed episode guides and behind-the-scenes stories that should reignite the interest of the general public in the adventure serial radio format. Charting tales of murder-solving, conspiracy-foiling and space journeys, and with a special introduction from Nicholas Parsons OBE, the book certainly has a licence to thrill.

Charles' contribution to the appreciation of adventure serials doesn't stop here though - he was also involved in the recovery in 2011 of two 'lost' episodes of 'Dan Dare, Pilot of the Future' as part of the Lost Shows Appeal.

Serial Thrillers is available in PDF or paperback form from Lulu.com, courtesy of Kaleidoscope Publishing. It's also stocked in Foyles bookshops (London) and by Amazon.co.uk.