Otterly Inspired

Devon otters have inspired a new novel by bestselling author, Hazel Prior. Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary and Buckfast Butterfly Farm helped in the creation of this delightful story which revolves around a mystery at an otter sanctuary.

The local, family-run centre rehabilitates orphaned, abandoned or injured otters for re-release into the wild, and is also an educational tourist attraction. Hazel Prior visited the sanctuary for her research, adopting an otter herself and finding out as much as she could about the animals’ lifestyle and the ups and downs of the daily running of the place.

“I was struck by the sheer joy of the otters,” Hazel says. “Their playfulness has to be seen to be believed. I was writing about the difficult topic of chronic pain, and I needed an uplifting element, and the otters have absolutely brought that to my story.”

The novel, set in Devon, also contains elements of whodunnit and romance and is a celebration of the countryside and its inhabitants, human and animal.

Hazel Prior is author of number one bestseller Away With The Penguins which was a BBC Radio 2 and a Richard & Judy book club pick. “My writing always has strong wildlife themes,” she says. “After writing a sequel to Away With The Penguins I was struggling to pick another creature that would fit as well into my quirky style of fiction. As soon as the idea of otters came to me I realised I must visit Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary. I remembered visiting on the steam train many years ago and what a fantastic day out it had been, and I knew this research wouldn’t be hard work at all!”

Life And Otter Miracles came out this September. The author decided to gift a few copies of the novel to the staff and resident otters to thank them for all their help. The otters were not shy about showing their enthusiasm for the book.

Life And Otter Miracles can be purchased at the sanctuary, from bookshops, Sainsbury’s and Amazon. Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary and Buckfast Butterfly Farm is open daily 10am – 5pm and provides a marvellous day out, whatever the weather.