A Golders Green man has been announced as a finalist in the People’s Book Prize, a unique literary competition that is judged by the nation’s readers, with his debut novel, Theatres of War.

Richard Hall, who writes under the pen name RJJ Hall, was restoring a house in Umbria, in central Italy, when he discovered the real impact of World War Two on that country by talking to his Italian neighbours and friends.

“I was moved by my research into the misery of fighting at Monte Cassino, from 1943 to 1945, and the re-opening of the San Carlo theatre in Naples,“ says Richard, “and these feelings were heightened by the contrast between events that happened only 50 miles apart.

“Then, unbidden, came the idea of a young woman linked to two soldiers: one fighting at Cassino, the other running a theatre in Naples.“

Richard felt a connection with this story in many different ways – not only because of the house he was renovating and the time he had spent in the region, but also because of his life-long love of opera – he was finance director at the Royal Opera House – which peaked his interest in the Naples theatre, where thousands of Allied service men and women attended opera performances from 1944 to 1945.

After six years of extensive research, Theatres of War was published at the end of 2013 – the 70th anniversary of the start of the Italian campaign – and Richard found out last month that he was nominated for the People’s Book Prize. The winners, in five categories, will be announced on May 28.

“I’m delighted to reach the finals,“ he says. “I’ve had some incredible feedback from people who have read the book and tell me they’re inspired by the story.“