FIRST-TIME author Tay Marx has published a novel and accompanying album taking readers on a humorous musical and literary journey throughout Wales.

The Reckless Engineers is based on Marx’s adventures and that of a university pal at Cardiff University.

The novel follows their burgeoning friendship as religious studies undergraduates in the capital, their love of music, and flashbacks about their childhoods in Pontypool and Aberystwyth.

The character Marx is based on is called John Todger – of Pontypool – and Mike Trousers – of Aberystwyth.

Pontypool, where Marx grew up, Abergavenny, Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth and Bristol all feature heavily within the writing.

The novel also has a tie-in album featuring 17 tracks Marx recorded with guest musicians between 2001 and 2012.

As readers turn pages in the book, they stumble upon the names of the songs in the compilation album, which they can listen to online.

The songs include melodic rock, rap and electronica with accompanying lyrics and artwork.

Marx, 45, of Bristol, said: “The songs bring the characters and events contained within the book to life in ways readers would never think imaginable.

“The two main characters are very different but are united by their love of creating music.

“As a result they find themselves writing, recording and performing songs together amid a backdrop of fascinating, extraordinary, hilarious and sometimes tragic events that are taking place within their personal lives.”

Marx played virtually every instrument on the compilation album.

The Reckless Engineers, ISBN 9781329050600, costs £5.70. and was published this month. To order a copy log on to lulu.com.

A free e-book version is also available on the website.

To listen to the album log on to therecklessengineers.bandcamp.com. The album can also be downloaded for £1.