A BARROW author who operated in arguably the most dangerous region in the world has released his second book focusing on terror group ISIL.

Last year 65-year-old Philip Caine released Picnic in Iraq which was a work of fiction but based on his real life experiences.

The retired oil business operations director spent almost seven years in Baghdad supporting the American-led coalition and experienced first-hand the joy and heartache of the Iraqi people, who worked daily to keep their lives stable in the war-torn country.

The self-published book has been a huge success and the Barrow resident has spent the past 10 months traveling across Cumbria and Lancashire giving talks about his work.

He said some of his characters were based on real people and many of his former colleagues had recognised themselves. The plot saw a close-knit group of friends finding an Iraqi map and travelling the length of the country, following the original Knights Templar route; in search of a treasure of unimaginable wealth. They encounter American security forces, Iraqi bandits and Islamic State on their quest. 

The new book To Catch a Fox sees the same gang trying to capture 'The Fox' who is second in command of ISIL and the brains behind its international reign of terror. 

Mr Caine only started writing after he retired and has developed a real love of the craft.

He uses his own experiences and discovered a real talent for writing novels.

Before Iraq, Mr Caine worked for more than 15 years on oil rigs in the North Sea and spent three years working on onshore projects in north and west Africa. He also spent seven years working in the oil and gas industry in the former Soviet Union. 

His writing career began last year when he joined Ulverston Writers Group.

He said: "The response to the first book has been amazing. It has sold really well and I have done about 45 author events in Cumbria and Lancashire. 

"It started off with me just reading from the book but now I talk about my career as well and answer questions. The first book was an adventure, a treasure hunt but the new one is a rescue story based on consequences from the first one. 

"The same group have to rescue one of their members from ISIL in Syria. There are a lot of twists and MI6 and the CIA are also in the mix. The first one had a lot of humour and that continues.

"I based the characters on real people and many recognised themselves and others asked why they hadn't been included.

"All the information for the book is in my head and it was just about getting it out and writing it down. I have so many experiences from getting help from a KGB colonel in Kazakhstan, trekking 60 miles across the desert on a camel, delivering a baby on the roadside and being chased by bandits. 

"I never thought I would be writing books but I absolutely love it and I have enjoyed traveling around and talking to different people about the book and my career.

"I have now started on the third book which is called   Breakfast in Beirut which will the the third book about this group of people."