Shieldhill man uses dad's death as motivation for first-ever book

Writer keen to help others with mental health
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

A Shieldhill man has used the death of his father as a source of motivation to write his first-ever book.

Kevin McPhee realised a lifetime ambition when he released fictional thriller ‘The Speed Of Breakdown’ last month.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Lidl store manager dedicated his spare time to writing when he was forced into self-isolation as a sufferer of rheumatoid arthritis at the outbreak of coronavirus.

Shieldhill resident Kevin McPhee has published his first book, titled The Speed Of Breakdown'. Picture: Michael Gillen.Shieldhill resident Kevin McPhee has published his first book, titled The Speed Of Breakdown'. Picture: Michael Gillen.
Shieldhill resident Kevin McPhee has published his first book, titled The Speed Of Breakdown'. Picture: Michael Gillen.

‘The Speed Of Breakdown’ is set in Camelon and is loosely based on the life of his late dad, also named Kevin – a once promising footballer whose life was blighted by drugs.

The reaction to the book has taken Kevin Jr aback.

Read More
Brightons man runs 500km to thank Strathcarron Hospice for caring for mum

Community groups including Our Place Camelon and Tamfourhill have contacted him to ask if he would be willing to run writing sessions for those with drug dependency issues – an offer the 34-year-old is delighted to take up.

Kevin said: “I always wanted to write a book. I lost my dad at the end of last year and he was a bit of a character.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“A lot of it is made up but a couple of the stories are true. I started typing things out for personal pleasure and sent a couple of chapters to friends who thought it was good.

“I probably wouldn’t have written it if I hadn’t had that time during lockdown. It was every day and night.

“So many people are struggling with their mental health and I wanted to show there’s an avenue to go down. People want to know stories of potential redemption.”

‘The Speed Of Breakdown’ is available for purchase on Amazon.

Message from the editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

Related topics: