A BEST-selling crime writer Kia Abdullah has teamed up with Castle Hill Bookshop to raise funds for the Trussell Trust, a UK charity that provides emergency food and support to people locked in poverty.

Ms Abdullah is the critically-acclaimed author of courtroom drama Take It Back, a thriller that was selected for an industry-first audio serialisation by HarperCollins and The Pigeonhole. The follow-up, Truth Be Told, was chosen for the Sunday Times Crime Club.

Her forthcoming novel, Next of Kin, is a courtroom drama in which a London architect goes on trial after accidentally leaving her nephew in her car on the hottest day of the year.

Ms Abdullah's profits from all pre-orders placed through her website will be donated to the Trussell Trust.

For £14.99, readers will receive a signed hardback of Next of Kin (including postage and packaging to the UK) while also helping to support the charity.

Ms Abdullah, who is aiming for 2,000 pre-orders ahead of the September publication date, said: “The Trussell Trust has provided a record 2.5m food parcels to people in crisis in the past year. As someone who grew up in one of the UK’s worst areas for child poverty, this is an issue close to my heart and I’m extremely proud and grateful to be given this opportunity to help.”

Ms Abdullah moved from Tower Hamlets in East London to Richmond in North Yorkshire in September 2018 for better access to the outdoors and has since developed an avid local readership. She is a loyal customer of Castle Hill, bookseller to the Yorkshire Dales for 35 years.

Stuart Cole, owner of the bookshop, said: “We are delighted to be working with Kia on this project. She writes compulsive legal thrillers and many customers are eagerly awaiting her next release. We hope those new to Kia’s work will also get behind this project not only to support the cause but because it guarantees a cracking read.” Pre-order Next of Kin at kiaabdullah.com or call Castle Hill Bookshop on 01748-824243.