Author details his love of Bermuda

One of Bermuda’s favourite cocktails has won a few more admirers thanks to the drinking habits of an undercover spy.

Lord Alexander Hawke, the protagonist in a series of novels by New York Times bestselling author Ted Bell, frequently visits Bermuda and drinks only Gosling’s Black Seal 151.

Author Mr Bell, on the island to promote the publication of his tenth book in the series, Overkill, said the obsession has rubbed off on his loyal readers, who have developed a taste for the Dark ‘n Stormy.

“Hawke’s trademark is Gosling’s Rum,” Mr Bell told The Royal Gazette. “Black Seal 151 neat is the only thing he ever drinks, he loves it.

“I did it because I discovered Gosling’s Rum when I first came here and thought it was fantastic.

“I can’t tell you how many people have written me saying, ‘Thank you for introducing us to the Dark ‘n Stormy, it’s our favourite drink’.”

Mr Bell even included the Dark ‘n Stormy recipe in one of the novels. The author, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, developed an affinity for Bermuda when he first visited the island in the early 1970s.

Speaking at a book signing at Gosling’s Wine Cellar on Thursday, he said: “I just fell in love with Bermuda. I couldn’t believe it existed, it’s an amazing place.”

Mr Bell, who honeymooned at Coral Beach Club, visits the island annually.

He said: “I never stopped coming because I’ve loved it since the first time, and it hasn’t changed much at all since then.”

Regarding Hawke, Mr Bell said: “In every single book, there’s something that brings him back to Bermuda.”

Although Hawke’s adventures take him all around the world, he returns to his fictitious South Shore residency in Bermuda, Teakettle Cottage, in each book.

“People are always asking me if Teakettle Cottage is real and where to find it,” Mr Bell said, “I just tell them that Hawke enjoys his privacy.”

Mr Bell added: “In spy novels, people come and go, but one constant that remains at the heart of each book is Bermuda, it’s Hawke’s safe haven”.

Despite having written 12 novels and two novellas, Mr Bell said: “I’m going to continue writing until I go blind.”

Overkill, as well as the rest of the Hawke books, are available at The Bermuda Bookstore.

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