Return of the Morrigan

Return of the Morrigan is a contemporary psychological thriller that draws on the themes of family, grief and myth. It is set in a fictional Hampshire Village called Burdon and told over 20 days from the perspective of six main characters, all of whose lives are turned upside-down by the arrival of an enigmatic newcomer. Baking in the heat of the hottest summer in living memory, Burdon is a village that has lost its soul. No longer rural and not yet urban - it exists in limbo, with only memories of its proud agricultural past to sustain it. 18 year old Niall Costello is deeply frustrated and disaffected with life in the village, and desperate to escape, even if it means breaking the heart of his devoted girlfriend, Margot. His family is haunted by the tragic death of his little sister, Louise, and is falling apart. His mother, Pam, feels unloved and lonely; her husband, Emmett, is bored with his life and having an affair. One night a beautiful and mysterious woman, Mary, arrives in the village on a powerful motorbike. Before long Niall becomes obsessed with her, and she encourages and teases him, creating a time-bomb of sexual tension and desire. It seems nobody's life escapes change after Mary's appearance; Pam's impulsive decision to join a local yoga class leads to an unexpected romance with another woman, and Emmett's affair becomes dangerously close to being exposed. As Mary's disruptive power continues to spread over the village, the discovery of some old photos uncovers an extraordinary truth: Mary has been visiting Burdon at regular intervals for hundreds of years and causing havoc and tragedy every time. As her grip on Niall tightens, Pam and Emmett can no longer ignore the evidence that Mary may not be human. When Margot becomes pregnant, Mary manipulates Niall into coercing her to have an abortion and it looks like he is set to abandon his girlfriend and his family. With Sally's help, Pam and Emmett discover that Mary is the Morrigan; an ancient Goddess who has fed off the power of sex and death for centuries. As the Morrigan's influence reaches crisis point, Niall finally sees the truth of his lover's nature, and the shape-shifting Morrigan reveals a new deadly form. In a terrifying climax, Pam and Emmett set out for a life and death battle to save their remaining child, and the whole family must unite if they are to defeat the demon that has invaded their village; as well as the demons within themselves.

About the Author :
I was born and brought up in Chorlton-cum-Hardy in Manchester. We lived close to wonderful rugged countryside and regularly went on long family hikes exploring forests and moors. Kitted out with my own little rucksack and walking boots, I would go on ahead with my Kendal Mint-Cake for sustenance, and seek out secret little places. The feeling of magic and mystery that surrounded areas like Alderley Edge and Stile Woods are still with me. I was an only child for the first ten years of my life and found comfort and company in books. I loved fantasy and adventure best, but would devour anything that had a good story and engaging characters. Imagination was, and always has been an integral part of my sense of self. I did an English & Media degree at the University of Sussex and went on to a diverse working life including running the art room at play-schemes, a few years in a local TV newsroom and a short stint as a singer and actress. For the last thirteen years, I have managed a walking scheme for the local council, and I have heard countless, extraordinary stories from the people I have walked with, some of which have inspired my stories. People open up when they are walking in a way that they don't do in more formal situations. I have written stories and poems ever since I became able to string more than a few words together. In recent years these have included an anthology of my teenage poetry (A Brief Love Affair With The Big Orange), a screenplay about a young woman who conjures up Ella Fitzgerald as a Fairy-Jazz-Godmother at a time of crisis (Sally & The Empress) and two novels, The Soul Room, and Return of the Morrigan. My third, The Call is coming soon. I have a life-long need to tell stories, and to hopefully give back to people some small portion of the pleasure and nourishment I have had from reading the wonderful stories of others. I call myself a 'Mancunian Brightonian' having made my home in the city-by-the-sea 25 years ago. I live with my husband in a loving if sometimes hectic, patchwork family including two kids each, a dog, two cats and a tarantula called Doris!

Review :
"Excellent storyline, gripping from the start with a variety of characters that are affected by the sudden arrival of Mary into their town. Niall is the hero of the piece but very real and easy to identify with. Legend and myth is weaved into a very exciting story that I honestly couldn't put down...a totally unique and gripping read" (Amazon) " Set during the heat of summer, it's a brilliant tale of a sleepy village and what happens when a young, beautiful and mysterious woman comes riding in one night - Mary. Straightaway she divides the locals, some of whom become obsessed with her, others who detest her. Who is she, why is she causing such upheaval, what does she want with everyone? An ancient curse woven through the story lends it a satisfying paranormal bent, racing to a breathtaking conclusion. Loved it! Very different, so original. I have read The Soul Room by this author and that too was unique - this is an author to look out for that rises about so much that is bestselling but bland." (Goodreads)