STOURBRIDGE author SJ Watson, whose debut Before I Go To Sleep became an international best-seller, has spoken of his excitement at seeing his second novel in print.

Second Life, the latest offering from the Black Country writer, centres on married, middle-aged, wealthy mum Julia - a recovering alcoholic - who becomes obsessed with a stranger after her sister is murdered in Paris.

Like Before I Go Sleep, a multi-award winner - published in more than 42 countries, the new novel is a psychological thriller which explores the identities people share online versus the real world and sees the lead character turn detective to try and discover the truth about the death of her sister who may have befriended her killer in an online chat room.

The author, real name Steve Watson - who was educated at Buckpool School (now The Wordsley School) and Stourbridge's King Edward VI College, said: "It's about how much we share of ourselves online, often without realising - and what that says about our manipulation of our own identities.

"I also thought it would be interesting to write a character who is a recovering addict."

Following the huge success of Before I Go To Sleep, which was turned into a Hollywood film starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth, Watson - who turned 44 on Tuesday - says he felt the "pressure" to produce another page-turner that would satisfy both editors and fans.

The former NHS audiology specialist, who wrote his first book between shifts while working at St Thomas's Hospital in London, told the News: "There was a sense of not wanting to let them down.

"I had to go back to writing for myself and write a book I really wanted to write and that I would like to read. It was different experience but it’s been a good one.

"It's early days but I've had lots of lovely messages off people on Twitter. It's very exciting to have a new book out. It's all going very well; I'm very happy."

Second Life, published by Transworld Publishers on February 12, is available from all major high street and online book sellers.