Henley-on-Thames is at the heart of a new cosy mystery, Nostalgia Man in Henley-on-Thames, the first in a trilogy exploring memory. Released on September 20, 2024, the novel is written by Paul S. Bradley, who lived in Henley during the 1960s and was once a player for the Red Lion Hotel football team.
The story follows Oliver Matthews as he returns to his hometown of Henley-on-Thames after a 56-year absence to unravel the mysteries of his past. Set in the late 1960s, Oliver falls in love with three women, but it is his intense relationship with Jenny that lingers in his memory. Unable to recall how things ended with her, Oliver is haunted by a disturbing vision that could be connected to Jenny or something more sinister. His return to Henley marks the beginning of an emotional journey to find closure and peace.
Bradley’s ties to Henley-on-Thames and the surrounding areas bring authenticity to the novel’s setting. The author drew on his local experiences, including help from Richard Wheeler, a Leander Club member and coach at Shiplake College, for accurate rowing details in the book. Wheeler’s introduction to John Leathes, also a Leander member, further connected Bradley to Henley’s sporting community.
Paul S. Bradley, now based in Nerja, Spain, has had a diverse writing career. Alongside his mystery series set in Andalusia, he has co-authored biographies and travelogues. His recent non-fiction works include The Fontainebleau, the true story of a family’s relocation to Spain in the 1970s, and Reinventing the Wheel, a biography of Patricia A. Broderick, America’s first mobility-impaired female judge.
For those with a love of mystery, romance, and local history, Bradley’s novel offers a compelling read set against the picturesque backdrop of Henley-on-Thames.
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