Thriller so close to home it hurts

MEDICAL thriller Control is the result of a dinner party at which Professor Hugh Montgomery found himself sitting next to Janetennison creator Lynda La Plante.

After mentioning his idea for a novel, thewidows author asked to see his first chapter, forcing Prof Montgomery to admit he hadn’t written anything yet.

When she told him she wanted to see the first chapter in the morning, he felt he had to stay up all night to do it. After showing her the first two chapters at breakfast, La Plante told him to get some sleep but then keep going... and his first adult novel was born. ● Control (Zaffre, £7.99)