Hospital stay inspires Cork chemistry professor's debut novel

The detective novel is a far cry from the UCC emeritus professor's usual work as a campaigner on air-pollution and climate-change issues

Prof John Sodeau with his novel 'Field Lane' at home in Crosshaven. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A chemistry professor has revealed how a dose of hospital morphine led to the creation of his debut novel, with a twist combining real life and fictional characters.

University College Cork (UCC) Emeritus Professor John Sodeau blended his passions for fiction and history, resulting in the unique juxtaposition in his novel, called Field Lane.