""Holy Island. The jewel in Northumberland's historic and righteous crown. I'm sure it is, but a crown of gold ... or a crown of thorns?"" 34 year old Linda Wilson travels to Holy Island to walk in the footsteps of the past. To relive the memory of days she spent on the island with her husband, who had recently passed away. She comes across a 'stranger' who gradually transforms her life, not always for the good, in a tale that grips the reader from the first chapter. The book is more fact than fiction, and every aspect of the storyline (as regards dates and historical reference) is true. Although it is a novel, it will leave you wondering how much of it is accurate ... in the sense ... what do they REALLY have hidden away on Lindisfarne?

This prayer book follows the rhythms and seasons of the natural and Christian year as it is observed on Holy Island. More contemplative than the very earthy spirituality of Iona, each day of the week has a special theme: Sunday - resurrection and renewal; Monday - creation; Tuesday - incarnation and peace; Wednesday - the Holy Spirit in mission and healing; Thursday - communit and unity; Friday - with broken people at the Cross; and Saturday - leisure (morning) and the Saints (night).

A horror based around a Toll House built in Durham in 1798. Originally built by the Freemasons, it was subsequently taken over by a variety of hosts, who all suffered various consequences. Was the place evil? Probably. But when Victor Schafer arrived, with his band of gypsy nomads, it sunk into the depths of the abyss. He had his own disciples. But, in the end, they took their '30 pieces of silver' and hung him from the gallows. Many people lay claim to having seen him dead, but his body disappeared soon after. Was that the end of Victor Schafer? Perhaps those 'many people' told lies.

The terror, which never truly ended, began as far back as 1798, with the building of the Toll House. Was the place evil? Probably. But when Victor Schafer arrived, with his band of gypsy nomads, it sunk into the depths of the abyss. He had his own disciples. But, in the end, they took their '30 pieces of silver' and strung him from the gallows, Many people lay claim to having seen him dead, but his body disappeared soon after. Was that the end of Victor Schafer? Perhaps those 'many people' told lies.

Detective Chief Inspector Ryan retreats to Holy Island seeking sanctuary when he is forced to take sabbatical leave from his duties as a homicide detective. A few days before Christmas, his peace is shattered and he is thrust back into the murky world of murder when a young woman is found dead amongst the ancient ruins of the nearby Priory. When former local girl Dr Anna Taylor arrives back on the island as a police consultant, old memories swim to the surface making her confront her difficult past. She and Ryan struggle to work together to hunt a killer who hides in plain sight, while pagan ritual and small-town politics muddy the waters of their investigation.

DI Mike Yorke is coming home. After three months in London, he's looking forward to being back in the north east - but he's barely off the train before he's deep into the most bizarre case of his career.

In truth, I found it hard going. It is not clear whether it is intended to be a book of instruction about the Roman conquest of Britain or an adventure story of a young boy who learns the tricks of the fighting trade from the Romans with the intention of using them against the same Romans back in Ireland. It turns out that this will not be necessary, but that he will have to fight his uncle Niall, who up to this point has been painted as a heroic figure. At the end, the future contact with Christianity is foreseen. As an exposition of military and colonial problems in Britain and Ireland in the 5th century, it is a wonderful piece of erudition. The explanation of the different origins of names and customs shows a mastery of the history and politics of the day. Similarly the story of the foreign cavalry in the Roman army/ The problem is that the reader is expecting an adventure yarn, with frequent setbacks and heroic reversals, culminating in some kind of temporary triumph. The longer the book goes on, the less this aspect is important. Clearly the book needs a map of Britain and Ireland and it would make easier reading if the names of the towns and regions were given in English. There needs to be a decision about which characters are important (what happened Sal Bui?) The notes at the heads of the chapters are a distraction – these should form a 20-page appendix at the end of the book. A true adventure story would not have such openings, because the story would be more important than the explanations. I suggest that you break up long paragraphs and have a consisted way of dealing with things like quotation marks, breaks between paragraphs etc. The difference between the followers of Christ and of Jesus is good; so is the account of the raiding pirates from across the North Sea. There are many other excellent things, but ultimately, I feel the book falls between two stools: Roman history and adventure yarn. An example is Ch 2, the initiation of Dathi which appears to have no further relevance to the story.