Former Oldham Chronicle journalist becomes a paperback writer

A former Oldham Chronicle journalist’s debut novel will be published in paperback this month after a series of five-star reviews.

Richard Hooton’s crime novel The Margaret Code was released in hardback, eBook and audio last April, with the paperback hitting bookshelves on January 29.

It’s received hundreds of rave reviews from around the world and currently has an average of 4.1 out of 5 on Amazon where nearly half of its ratings are five-star.

The cosy crime caper has been published in the UK by Sphere, an imprint of Little Brown; in America by Union Square and Co; and in Germany by DTV – and is also available in countries as far flung as Australia and South Africa.

The voice-led whodunnit follows eighty-nine-year-old Margaret whose failing memory holds the key to the murder investigation taking place on her street.

It was inspired by the author's own relationship with his grandmother, who died with Alzheimer’s when he was a teenager.

Richard, who lives in Mossley, worked as a reporter and news editor for the Oldham Chronicle from 2006 to 2017.

Now a senior communications officer for Tameside Council, he wrote the book in his spare time before securing an agent and a publishing deal.

He said: “I’ve been delighted with how well received The Margaret Code has been and the fantastic reviews and feedback it’s had.

"One of the best aspects of publishing has been readers taking the time to get in touch or write a review telling me how much they’ve enjoyed Margaret’s story and how it’s moved them.

"I’m now looking forward to my novel being published in paperback and reaching even more readers.”

Richard studied English Literature at the University of Wolverhampton before becoming a journalist and then going on to work in communications.

Taking to creative writing, Richard joined two writing groups and began entering short story competitions to hone his craft and validate his writing.

He went on to win competitions such as the Hammond House Publishing International Literary Prize and the Evesham Festival of Words Short Story Competition, as well as being shortlisted for the prestigious Bridport Prize.

He is represented by Sam Copeland of literary agency Rogers, Coleridge and White.

The audiobook is narrated by BAFTA-nominated, Manchester actress Maggie Ollerenshaw, who has starred in Open All Hours, Last of the Summer Wine and Coronation Street.

The Margaret Code is described as a compulsive and charming crime novel where “Elizabeth Is Missing” meets “The List Of Suspicious Things” and “The Marlow Murder Club”.

It follows 89-year-old Margaret as she attempts to solve the murder of her best friend and neighbour, Barbara.

She is convinced Barbara entrusted her with a secret before she died, a secret now buried in Margaret’s ailing memory.

With the help of her grandson, James, Margaret sets out to recover her memory and investigate the crime.

But soon strange things begin happening in her home.

Her family are convinced Margaret’s illness is getting worse, but Margaret is sure somebody wants her out of the way.

Richard will be speaking at Droylsden Library Club on Wednesday, February 4 from 10-11.30am; free, no need to book, just come along on the day.

He’s also giving an author talk at Oldham Library on Wednesday, February 18 from 6-8pm, with free tickets available from Eventbrite.

The Margaret Code is available to pre-order from Amazon or any bookshop.

Richard is on Facebook, Instagram, X, and Bluesky as @RJHooton.

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