A Bampton resident for over 21 years, Steve Sheppard had his debut novel A Very Important Teapot, published by Claret Press in October.
The book is a fast-paced comedy spy thriller set largely in Australia. If you like non-stop action, lots of laughs, relatable characters, great dialogue and a satisfying ending, this is the book for you. It may help to solve the odd Christmas present conundrum too.


Dawson is going nowhere. Out of work and nearly out of money, he is forlornly pursuing the love of Rachel Whyte. But Rachel is engaged to Pat Bootle, an apparently successful local solicitor who has appeared from nowhere.
Then, out of the blue, Dawson receives a job offer from his best friend, Alan Flannery, which involves him jumping on a plane to Australia to "await further instructions". But instructions about what?
This is the start of a frantic chase around south eastern Australia with half the local underworld, the police and the intelligence agencies of three countries trying to catch up with Dawson.


What is Flannery’s game?
Why has Pat Bootle turned up in Australia?
Who is the beautiful but mysterious Lucy Smith?
What is the teapot’s secret?
What has folk music got to do with anything?
And how do guns actually work?
Dawson’s life will never be the same again.
“A curiously magical thriller with suburban subterfuge and sparkle.” (Helen Lederer – Comedy Author & Actress and founder of the Comedy Women in Print Prize)
“If Terry Pratchett wrote James Bond, it’d be this.”
Priced at £9.99, A Very Important Teapot is available to buy directly from Steve himself (signed if you wish) via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phoning him on 07919 344336. Or it can be bought online at Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Very-Important-Teapot-Sheppard-Steve/dp/1910461407 or other online retailers as either a paperback or an e-book. You will also find it on the shelves at several local bookshops including Madhatter in both Burford and Wantage, the Woodstock Bookshop and Mostly Books in Abingdon.

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