THE relationship between a mother and daughter is the focus of a new book written by a Downton author.

Nature and Necessity is the latest book to be written by Tariq Goddard, who has previously been shortlisted for the Whitbread (Costa) First Novel

Award, Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize and Commonwealth Writer’s Prize. He is also a Independent Publishers gold and silver medal winner.

The story is described as a literary thriller, with a twist of romance, about two women from Yorkshire.

“The book is based around the relationship between a mother and her daughter, spanning and encompassing the last forty years of this country’s history,” said Tariq.

“It was inspired by my trying to understand how people with every material advantage could lead unhappy lives through a fear of being open with one another.”

He released his first novel in 2002, Homage to a Firing Squad. His other novels include Dynamo, The Morning Rides Behind Us, and The Picture of Contented New Wealth.

Discussing how his latest offering compares to his previous books, he said: “It is twice as long as anything I’ve written before, a friend described it as like getting a bible through the post, and whereas my other novels have been set over a single night, or at the longest, a month, this spans decades. I’m told though, that despite its length, the book reads very quickly.”

“Readers can expect] An entertaining family saga that despite acknowledging the dark side of human life, is artful and insightful, if not ultimately redemptive.”

Tariq is already working on his next book. He said: “It is good to remain a book ahead, it is a sort of occult Wiltshire “True Detective” set in and around this area.”

Nature and Necessity is on sale now.