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Keith Main - Author and Illustrator

About

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Keith Main - Author and Illustrator

About

Contact

About

Contact

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Who are the Main characters?

Frederica Hoffman - ‘Freddie’

Ashley Bridgewater - ‘Ash’

John Wilson - ‘Jake’

Maureen Richards - ‘Mo’

Bill Mitchell - ‘Bill’

These are the five strangers who set out on this adventure, but one more Key Character is missing, and he changes everything! Subscribe to find out more.

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Initial reviews for “Drowning In Guilt”

Before publishing “Drowning in Guilt”, I sent a few preview copies to some friends to get some feedback and reviews, so here is what they had to say -

“The Characters and their different life stories are well and sympathetically described. The narrative builds up a complex web of relationships, which drive the adventure through the islands of the Caribbean, which you clearly know and love. A perfect blend of scenic locations, sailing, scuba diving, marine wildlife and romance ……. with a twist!” Excellent!” Ron - Edinburgh, Scotland

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“Really loved the way the characters developed and how they got used to life on board with the trip starting innocently, then you become aware of an underlying threat from someone tracking the yacht. The book develops into a thrilling page-turner as we are drawn into a well-thought-out plot while caring for the characters. A good read and I look forward to your next one!” Eileen - Brackley, England

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“This is a must-read! The characters are cleverly crafted, and the plot is full of surprises and unexpected twists. Set in the Caribbean and centred on a sailing boat, I’m sure the story will appeal to mariners and landlubbers alike.” Louise - Menorca, Spain

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“I usually don’t enjoy reading Fiction, but this ‘got me’ right from the start. I was hooked, and it gave me a great excuse to escape the summer heat. Great book and I would thoroughly recommend it. I wanted to be there!” Davie - Mallorca, Spain

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“ I found it so hard to put down. Lots of twists and turns. Cunning, complex and inventive. Unputdownable! Love the characters, I felt I knew them personally.” William - Letwell, England

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“A hugely entertaining mystery ride. Awash with sunshine, sea, sex and exotic locations. There’s a cast of characters hiding all kinds of secrets/ The book is a page-turning onion, inviting the reader to peel back layers of twists and turns before arriving at unexpected destinations. What’s next?” Bryan - Queensland, Australia

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“Great Story, just Excellent. Not sure I would want to be in your head! Well done!” Graham - Menorca, Spain

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“What a beautifully presented book! At first sight of the cover, you are drawn into wanting to know more about the elegant boat it features, poised for its journey on the beautiful but truly treacherous Caribbean waters.

Through each carefully observed chapter, the crew reveal themselves, their life histories and what led them individually to the boat. Their lives can make you cry with empathy and also roar with laughter! It’s impossible not to want to know more about each of them.

The intricacy of the storyline has you guessing ahead but always feeling surprised - the pace of the book escalates, lies, secrets, motives fly as you find yourself unable to put this book down!

Looking forward to the sequel!” Jane - Menorca, Spain

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“Drowning In Guilt! I was ‘drowning in guilt’ as once I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down - unlike me to read at home as I normally only read whilst on holiday, but I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next!” Lesley - Romsey, England

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“Totally different to your previous books. This adult novel had me keen to keep on reading! I was impressed by the content as it was right up my street. Not just crime but a touch of the nautical with an underlying mystery. I’m hooked and fervently hope that more is to come!” Derek - Menorca, Spain

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About Me - Keith Main

I was born in Aberdeen in the North East of Scotland on the 18th of April 1954 and am now 71. However, I am a man who is young at heart. I lived and worked in Aberdeen, establishing a successful AV and Media Production business, which I ran for over 40 years before retiring to the Spanish island of Menorca some years ago, where I have had a property for almost 30 years. I have two daughters and five grandchildren aged from 13 to 25 years old. They live in and around the Aberdeen area, and I visit throughout the year.

Based on the beautiful Island of Menorca, I live with my partner, Janey and our amazing dog ‘Bowie’. My hobbies include my Menorcan garden, my boat, and the occasional game of golf. I used to scuba dive, which I loved, but seldom do these days. Janey and I are widely travelled, with the Caribbean Island of Antigua being a great favourite of us both.

My writing of ‘Drowning in Guilt’ is a change in direction for me into literary fiction. I previously self-published two young adult fantasy books, written initially for my grandchildren. ‘Peter and the Boy’ and’ The Ostrigon,’ where I also provided the illustrations.

I was encouraged by my family to read to my grandchildren via the use of FaceTime to make up for living abroad. I decided to take the role in a different direction.

I have a vivid imagination and admit to being blessed or sometimes perhaps cursed with extraordinary dreams. These often helped shape my business ideas, but now my imagination and dreams have found a new home in my stories.

I generally write by hand ( see the story below) whenever and wherever the mood takes me. On a flight, waiting in an airport, on my boat or at my desk on a rainy day. Once transferred to the typed versions, Janey assists me in editing and refining the stories.

This novel, although fiction, is based on some personal experiences, people I have met throughout my life, stories they have told, and places I have visited.

I freely admit the experience of writing ‘Drowning in Guilt’ has been amazing. I have ideas for other similar adventures, as my imagination never rests.

My experience as an author is relatively new, but much like the stories I write, it began with an unexpected twist.

Many years ago, I decided to write about my life, including childhood memories, the lessons learned through work and travel, and the experiences gathered from my various business ventures. I began a handwritten journal, carefully noting dates and researching details to guide the narrative. For a while, everything went well—until disaster struck.

My love affair with Menorca began in 1996. Each summer, I would drive the 1,500 miles from my home in Aberdeen, Scotland, to my house on the island. The final leg of the journey was always a ferry from Barcelona to Mahón or Ciutadella.

In June 1998, I arrived at the port office in Barcelona to collect my ferry tickets. As I stepped out of the car, someone asked me a question in Spanish. Struggling with the language, I tried to reply, but he walked away. When I turned back, I saw my passenger door hanging open. I’d been robbed. My small case, which was sitting on the seat only moments earlier, was gone.

With less than an hour before departure, panic set in. This was before smartphones ruled our lives; inside that case was my Filofax, my life in paper form. Finding a policeman was nearly impossible, and when I finally did, he directed me to the main station to file a report. There was no time, and I knew it would be useless.

Once aboard the ferry, I quickly changed passwords and contacted banks. I was fortunate to still have my passport and wallet—but the real loss hit me like a punch in the stomach. My journal. Three years of writing and research… gone. I tried to start again, but the enthusiasm had vanished.

It took twenty years, until 2018, for the writing spark to return.

Semi-retired and living almost full-time in Menorca, I stayed connected with my family in Scotland through FaceTime. With five grandchildren, four of them under ten, one of my daughters suggested I read them a story now and then. That simple suggestion changed everything.

I wrote a short story, filmed myself reading it, and sent it to them so they could watch it anytime. It was originally called The Boy Who Forgot His Name. I enjoyed writing it so much that ideas began pouring in, and soon Peter and The Boy was born.

When I took the A4 manuscript to Scotland to read in person, my youngest grandson quickly grew bored and asked why there were no pictures. He was right—pictures would make it far more fun.Back in Menorca, I began sketching illustrations. My love of drawing made the process enjoyable, and inspired by my partner Janey’s wildlife work with WWF, I added a whole new dimension to the story. COVID slowed things down, but in January 2024, I self-published Peter and The Boy on Amazon. A year later, in January 2025, I published the sequel, Peter and The Ostrigon.

Now I have released Drowning In Guilt—a completely different kind of story, written for adults. It delves into darker themes, emotional struggles, adventure, and even a few racier elements. The book’s inspiration came from a small gift: Writer’s Ideas Diary by Morgen Bailey. It encouraged me to explore a new direction, drawing from real experiences. One of those was a strange but true incident in Antigua, where I ended up rescuing a young jet-ski rider who—astonishingly—couldn’t swim. That moment became the seed for what grew into Drowning In Guilt. The plot twisted and evolved as I wrote, characters arriving unexpectedly, ideas branching off in new directions. I’m already deep into the sequel.

Writing has become an outlet for my imagination and creativity—something I didn’t expect to enjoy so deeply. A friend recently reminded me that if my English teacher could see me now, having published not one but three books, she would probably have laughed her socks off… though perhaps with a hint of pride as well.

I hope you enjoy reading my stories as much as I enjoy writing them.