The Magpie Tree

‘STANSFIELD SHARES DU MAURIER'S TALENT FOR FINELY CRAFTED STORYTELLING’ NEW WELSH REVIEW

Jamaica Inn, 1844. A boy mysteriously vanishes in Cornish woodland and the villagers whisper that witches are at work. Desperate to reassure the community, the local squire offers a generous reward for the safe return of the child. In spite of her misgivings but aware of their ever-tenuous financial situation, Shilly is drawn in to investigate by her companion, Anna Drake, with the promise that the money will fund their own detective agency.

Suspicion soon falls on two women living in a cottage deep in the woods. As Shilly and Anna seek the missing child, the case takes another turn – murder. Something is stirring in the woods and old sins have come home to roost.

'A DARK AND MACABRE ATMOSPHERE THAT FEELS FRESH AND ORGINAL' THE TIMES