A TRANSPORT crime thriller, penned by a York-born author, has been chosen for the 2011 Big City Read.

The annual literary event aims to bring people in the city together by reading and celebrating the same book, which will be available free of charge.

This year, residents are being invited to read The Lost Luggage Porter, by Andrew Martin, which is part of a series of adventures undertaken by railway detective Jim Stringer and set in a shady Yorkshire underworld.

Coun Sonja Crisp, of City of York Council, said: “I’m really excited to announce that this year’s novel is written by a York-born author and is set in Yorkshire too.

“The Lost Luggage Porter is full of intrigue and is so apt for York with its strong railway links and history.”

The prizewinning book is now available at all libraries.

It will also be given away to football fans when York City FC play host to Bolton Wanderers in the Minstermen’s pre-season friendly at Bootham Crescent on Saturday, August 6.