Around 100 people gathered in Otterburn for a book launch last week, in the hope they would uncover some truths about a historical murder mystery.

Through her new novel, Death at Wolf’s Nick: The Death of Evelyn Foster, author Diane Janes has investigated the unsolved murder of the 27-year-old taxi driver on a road near Otterburn in January, 1931.

Diane managed to get access to the old police files on Evelyn’s murder, and people from across Tynedale and further afield went along to find out whether their relatives had given witness statements in the investigation.

Attendees included, Paul Johnstone, great nephew of Cecil Johnstone, the bus driver who found Evelyn’s car burning at the side of the road and brought her home before she died.

A couple from Lincoln travelled up for the event after finding out their relatives had given statements, while members of Evelyn’s family travelled from Yorkshire.

The book was sold on the night by Forum Books, based in Corbridge.

Diane believes her research leads to a credible suspect who has previously never been revealed to the public.

She said the man, from Scotland, was suggested as a suspect around a year after the investigation started, but because the chief constable had doubts about whether Evelyn was telling the truth, he was never thoroughly investigated.

Diane believes the man could be the guilty party. He had a previous criminal record for assaulting females and later went on to commit other crimes – and was allegedly in the area that night.

However, she admits that because no witness could put him at the scene, it would have been incredibly hard to bring him to court.

“There were only a small number there on the night who had read the book beforehand, but one gentleman very kindly said he thought Evelyn could now can rest in peace.

“I was quite moved by that,” Diane said.

Death at Wolf’s Nick: The Killing of Evelyn Foster is available by Mirror Books at £7.99.