´óÏó´«Ã½

He's known as Bateman now, having lost the Colin after beingÌýre branded by his publishers a few years ago. But I can't call him Bateman when he's sitting opposite me, so I opt to call him Colin.Ìý

Ìý The Bangor based author and screenwriterÌýwas in today to talk to me about his new book "", in which Mystery Man, the owner ofÌýthe fictional No Alibis bookstore (yes there is a real No Alibis Bookstore in Belfast and, no, Mystery Man isn't David Torrans it's owner) combines book selling withÌýsolving crimes in the Belfast area.

Anyway Colin, or Bateman, is rightly dubbed "prolific" asÌýhe has not only finished the third in the Mystery Man series, also a children's book aboutÌýecological adventures, and he hasÌýjust finished his first stage play. It's called "National Anthem" andÌý will be premiered by Ransom Productions and directed by Rachel O'Riordan at next year's Belfast Festival at Queens 2011.

He didn't want to reveal too much, but I got out of him that it hasÌýgot a cast of four and the theatre company is working with a composer forÌýbespokeÌýmusic.

It's the first time he's written for theatre. He's done screenplays,Ìýcreating Murphy's Law with James NesbittÌýbut this is his first foray onto the stage. He says he likes David Mamet's plays andÌýis nervously excited to see how this debut will be received.