North Norfolk journalist-turned-teacher Jonathan Rice has combined his two lives in a mystery thriller he has published as an electronic book.

Entitled The Toll House, the novel follows city-dwelling history teacher Colin Brown's quest to find out the truth about his ghost-hunting father, who has died leaving his son with unanswered questions.

His search takes him to the Norfolk coast and - against the backdrop of memories of the 1953 floods - the reasons for pair's strained and difficult relationship become apparent.

'I love Norfolk and I can't ever imagine myself leaving again,' Mr Rice said. 'I wanted to show the contrast between the pace of life here and people's outlook, but also the effect of this terrible event in our history which, for many people, is still a poignant and vivid memory.'

Diss-born Mr Rice, 46, trained as a reporter with the Ely Standard, which is owned by North Norfolk News publishers Archant. He then worked for newspapers at Northampton and Leicester before, at the age of 29, deciding to re-train as a teacher.

After qualifying, he worked at Mundesley Junior School and, after a two-year stint teaching at a forces school in Cyprus, he returned to Norfolk.

After a second spell at Mundesley, Mr Rice was made deputy head of Watlington Primary, near Kings Lynn, before taking on the job of head teacher at Tunstead Primary two years ago.

Keen on keeping parents, staff and youngsters informed of issues affecting the school, the father-of-three hit on the idea of writing a blog on the school website, which he regularly updates with everything from comments on school events, to musings on local political issues.

Although he wrote The Toll House while training as a teacher 17 years ago, he put the book to the back of his mind after sending it to two publishers and getting 'nearly, but not quite,' letters back from both.

'Because life was so busy, I didn't really think about getting it published it again until someone suggested an e-book,' Mr Rice explained.

After updating and rewriting parts of the book, and adding a cover designed by his 15-year-old daughter Hannah, he published a Kindle version, which is available for £1.95 from Amazon.

Like the protagonist of his novel, Mr Rice is the son of a teacher – his father John was head of Methwold High School – but, he insists, The Toll House is purely a work of fiction.

'It does mirror my life in a way, but it isn't about me,' he said.

Mr Rice, who in September starts a new job as head of South Wootton Junior School, near Kings Lynn, has ideas for a further three books.

'I'm also thinking about taking my blog further,' he said. 'I enjoy writing and I think it shows parents and pupils a different side of me.'

The Toll House, by Jonathan Rice, is available from www.amazon.co.uk priced £1.95