When Falmouth author Sue Kittow, well-known for her Walks In The Footsteps series of Cornish-based leisure guides, was widowed, her terrier Moll kept her going through her grief.

Sue has now used that experience as the basis of her highly original first novel "The Rescue," which tells a powerful story of bereavement and recovery through Moll's eyes, Sue said: "I wanted to write about what happens when you lose your partner, and how it is terrible, but there can be plenty of life - and love - ahead. Although this is fiction, Moll was such a strong character that I felt she should be the one to tell this tale."

Sue lost the real-life Moll two years ago at the grand old age of 15. "I wanted to create a tribute to my late husband Pip… but I also wanted to celebrate Moll's role in rebuilding my life after loss. We all think we're looking after our pets, but in reality, they're looking after us. And they don't get enough credit!"

Describing the novel Sue thinks it will appeal to anyone who's suffered loss - or is helping someone else through it, anyone who loves dogs, and anyone who loves Cornwall. She said: "When I lost Pip, I really could have used a guidebook to help me understand my grief, and point me to the future. 'The Rescue' is the story I could have done with reading in those days."

Sue writes the novel using her pen name S L Rosewarne. She will be celebrating the launch of 'The Rescue' at the Princess Pavilion in Falmouth on Wednesday, November 30 from 5 pm - 7 pm. Copies are available to order now on Home | Suekittow and from the Falmouth Bookseller from the end of November.

You can also find lots of great info about Sue and her work on the same link.

Sue's debut novel 'The Rescue'