A JOURNALIST'S first foray into the world of crime fiction involves the Evesham Journal - sort of.

Derek Honey's first crime novel, The Testament of Barabbas, revolves around a central figure called Colin Chapple, who now works for The Avon Evening Gazette, which has been partly based on The Journal.

A journalist for most of his life, Derek has written for The Oxford Mail and The Hereford Times.

He even published Oxford's first free newspaper, The Family Advertiser, and until going freelance four years ago, worked on a national free paper called The Managing Director.

"With freelancing you don't have the pressure of an editor looking over your shoulder and saying I want something done on this in the next five minutes."

He went back to his roots in Wyre Piddle, where he lived until he was seven, to find inspiration for his book, which was published in August this year.

"I've always had a great affiliation with Wyre Piddle, it's where I was brought up before moving to Oxford," he said.

The Testament of Barabbas tells the story of Colin Chapple, a semi-retired journalist working on a local newspaper.

He is contacted by an Oxford professor trying to translate a first century parchment, which has turned up in the city after disappearing from the Vatican on the same day that Pope John Paul I died.

As the plot unfolds, Chapple finds himself, and his family, drawn into the conflict as KGB and Mafia types attempt to return the Testament of Barabbas, who claimed to be Jesus's son, back to the papal quarters.

It's a far cry from writing books about pubs in and around Oxford, but as Derek, who now lives in Witney, explains, he wanted to turn his hand to non-fiction.

"I wanted to get away from writing factual books. I wanted to use my imagination and I've always been interested in ancient manuscripts.

"What would happen if such a parchment was found that contradicted all the gospels? What would happen to the religion of the Western world if such a thing was ever published? It would certainly create some interesting debate and probably rock the very foundations of the Catholic church."

Get away from reality he certainly has, with two more Colin Chapple books set for publication next year.

Who Will Guard The Guards? tells of a cash-for-questions scandal in the government, while the other, The Day of Tides, focuses on a black magic coven in Fladbury.

He could be set for greater things yet, as the book has been critically acclaimed by no other than Colin Dexter, the creator of Inspector Morse.

Other critics have also given favourable responses, with BBC Radio Oxford and Radio Worcester calling it "a cracking good read" and "great, highly controversial", respectively.

In fact, Channel 4 have contacted his publishing company, who are looking at the possibility of Colin Chapple becoming Morse's successor.

He said: "Well, if that ever happens, the next time you'll be talking to me I'll be sat in my mansion drinking champagne.

"I wrote to Colin, but I didn't really expect him to reply as he's such a busy man, but he praised the book and asked for more."

And more is to come indeed, but the next installment will have to wait while Derek completes his current venture - to write a book of unusual history stories from Oxford.

The Testament of Barabbas is available from bookshops now, priced £7.99.