An author has released her first book, Foolish Lessons in Life and Love set, in parts, in Croydon.

Penny Rudge’s book follows Taras Krohe, a bumbling 23-year old Londoner caught in a power struggle between his smothering Bukovinian (Ukranian) mother and his demanding Russian girlfriend.

His attempts to unravel a family mystery while also impressing his new American boss lead him into increasingly disastrous wrong turns.

The mother-of-two lives in north Yorkshire but is studying for a PhD in creative writing to add to her other three degrees.

Mrs Rudge said: “I’ve spent 15 years living in London and the book is firmly located in the areas I know best.

"The key character, Mr Bannerjee, solicitor to Taras’ mysterious dead benefactress, lives in East Croydon, on Woodstock Road.

"When his mother goes missing, he heads there to confront Mr Bannerjee and makes a shocking discovery.”