Darlington writer launches debut war thriller John’s Journey

The debut novel by Paul Hodgson, John’s Journey, will be unveiled through a TikTok livestream on May 16 at 6pm.

Mr Hodgson said: “I’m over the moon, this is my first novel, which has been 15 years in the making (on and off).

“I really hope people like it.”

The story follows Private John Wray, whose encounter with a college friend-turned-enemy on the front lines of the First World Wa forces him into a maze of deception and survival.

Years later, Wray resurfaces as an undercover MI5 operative in Nazi Berlin during the Second World Wa.

Caught between betrayal and pursuit, he places his trust in the father of his former friend as he attempts a perilous escape to the Swiss border.

Mr Hodgson’s writing career began in the late 1990s.

His first published work was Flipper’s Side, released in 2000 by Scarsdale Books.

A revised version, Give Them Wings, was published in 2021 by G2 Entertainment.

In 2022, he published One Hundred of the Best, which highlights his favourite Darlington FC matches.

This was followed in August 2024 by For the Love of Darlo, a prequel focused on his school years.

In January 2025, another edition titled Another One Hundred of the Best was released.

He is also the author of The David Speedie Story, published in September 2025 by Pitch Publishing, chronicling the life of the former Chelsea and Liverpool striker.

His work has earned national media attention, including interviews on the BBC World Service and TalkSport.

Mr Hodgson is an accomplished scriptwriter and the winner of more than 150 writing awards.

JD Crist of Pumkin Head Publishing said: “John’s Journey is such an amazing story.

“I am honoured that Paul has entrusted me with helping to share his amazing work with the world.

“I hope readers are drawn into John’s life as much as I was.”

One of Mr Hodgson’s earlier books, When Push Comes to Shove, published in 2003 by G.W. Belton Ltd, documented two seasons following Darlington Football Club.

Flipper’s Side was later adapted into a film starring Bill Fellows and Toyah Willcox, who played Mr Hodgson’s mother.

Mr Fellows, a supporter of Mr Hodgson’s work, wrote the foreword for John’s Journey.