Comfort Zone

This is the revealing and inspirational life story of Nick Holmes - a bullied underachiever who left school at 16 with few prospects and went on to make a huge difference in the world. Told with raw honesty, this is one autobiography you will never forget.

The author joined the Marines aged 18 but left shortly after to care for his dying father. With little money, prospects and no parents he returned to the military (after a brief interlude in the USA which could have steered him down a very different path). After 5 years' service (3 of which were in N Ireland) he joined the Police and rose rapidly through the ranks and despite the odds and obstacles in his path received national recognition. He also went on to secure two global opportunities working for the Caribbean bank in St Kitts and as Director of Security for Barrick Gold (the world's biggest gold company) in the hostile environments of Tanzania. Follow the author's remarkable journey from lost and alone through to his 1980s Nottingham Police Force days tackling gun crime and drugs, his experiences leading 'Operation Stealth' which resulted in the conviction of numerous organised crime groups, and the recovery of baby Abbie Humphries from her kidnapper - a crime which gripped the entire country.

His career is only just taking off at this point. He holds nothing back as he divulges many colourful memories and anecdotes that are humorous, interesting and, given the nature of his job, controversial. There is never a dull moment as the author describes his time as Head of the Nottinghamshire Homicide Unit, then Chief Superintendent leading a 600-strong team.

Discover how he was chosen for the Home Office Senior Leadership initiative which took him to the Oxford University Business School and through relationships forged in the world of academia he worked in Saudi Arabia, Africa, Greece and Canada and well outside his comfort zone Now retired and 60 years old, he still pushes the boundaries and can frequently be found racing his superbike motorcycle around the tracks of the UK and Europe. If ever anyone is qualified to encourage readers to step outside their comfort zones, it is Nick Holmes. His tale is one of determination to succeed in the face of adversity and his energy and resilience will no doubt rub off on everyone who reads this incredible book.