From Scarbados to the Fishburn Saga - how trilogy brought Scarborough author a loyal readership

The success of the story of the Fishburn family’s trials, tribulations and ultimate triumph brought him a loyal readership – and persuaded him there was much more to tell.

Written during and after the Covid lockdown, the original trilogy introduced readers to a Hull family, whose lives are turned upside down when Peter, the father, loses his secure job aboard the ferry service to Belgium.

With redundancy looming, they take a gamble on a run-down hotel near Peasholm Park.

What follows is a warm-hearted tale of family life, romance, setbacks, fresh starts and good old Yorkshire grit and determination, with Scarborough a well defined backdrop playing a part in events.

The books quickly attracted widespread attention, with fans as far afield as Australia, and when the trilogy ended, many were not ready to say goodbye to the Fishburns and implored Mark to continue the story.

Spurred on, he decided to go again and Neptune’s Cafe, soon to be released, takes its name from the Old Town restaurant bought by Peter’s son Jamie, using his share of the family hotel proceeds.

Starting a new business is a great adventure but not without adversity.

What began as a sequel soon developed into something much bigger.

“It became apparent the Fishburn family were worthy of a series of at least six books,” Mark chuckles.

“The original trilogy has morphed into a veritable Fishburn Saga – a latter-day Forsyte Saga, perhaps?”

Without wishing to give too much away, Mark reveals that The Golden Cod sees Jamie reunited with his sister Millie, who has returned from Australia.

Together they build a thriving business.

The sixth book, Fisherman’s Wharf II, will take Millie to San Francisco on a research trip, where she discovers some remarkable ideas to bring home – and forms an unexpected friendship with an elderly Californian billionaire and philanthropist.

“Let’s say there are some big surprises in store for readers who have followed the family from the beginning,” Mark said.

The six stories flow naturally in sequence, covering around six years, with little or no time gap between them.

The new ones will be released at six-monthly intervals from January next year, mirroring the original trilogy and allowing the tension and anticipation to build between each instalment.

Mark describes his genre as “contemporary family fiction”, accessible, entertaining and aimed at a broad readership.

“I write to entertain,” he said, “and aim for something that different generations can read and enjoy.”

Mark spent much of his early childhood in Scarborough but family and then work took him overseas for many years.

He eventually returned and now regards himself as very much a Scarborian.

Away from writing, he is a director of the Caring4Critters animal charity.

All the Scarbados books are available from its retail outlets in Aberdeen Walk and Huntriss Row, with every purchase generating a donation to the charity.

Mark now has ambitions to see the Scarbados Saga adapted for screen.

“So many people have told me it would make a great TV series,” he said.

“The Fishburns have really got under my skin.”

It seems six books may not necessarily be enough.