Two minutes, that’s all…two minutes out of your busy day to travel back 200 years and peer into the darkness and mystery with A Rage Of Souls. Go on…you know you want to. It’s the final Simon Westow novel.

Leeds, April 1826

Simon Westow looked up from the Leeds Intelligencer. The house was quiet, their twin sons Richard and Amos off at their lessons at the grammar school.

‘Do you remember Frederick Fox?’ he asked.

Rosie was stirring a pot on the range. ‘Of course I do. What’s happened? Have they finally hanged him?’

‘He’s been pardoned.’

 ‘What?’ She let the spoon clatter against the pan. ‘Why?’

He folded the newspaper and placed it on the table. ‘It doesn’t give the reason. All done at the last minute, apparently. He was standing on the scaffold in York when the message arrived.’ ‘That’s probably an exaggeration. You know they always try to make it sound dramatic.’

Rosie pressed her lips together. ‘Still, I wonder what happened. Maybe he knows someone important.

A man in dark, sober livery was standing on the step, a serious look on his face. Someone’s servant, Simon thought. He made a hasty bow and handed him a folded note.

‘Mr Barton said to bring you this, sir.’

‘Thank you.’ He fumbled in his pocket, found a halfpenny and pressed it into his hand. With a smile and a thank you, the man drifted away.

At the kitchen table, Simon broke the seal.

Mr Westow,

No doubt you saw the news that Fox was granted a reprieve from death. When that happened, I imagined he and his wife would go somewhere nobody knew them and find a new life. However, since last week, I believe I’ve seen him following me three times. At first, I decided it had to be my imagination. With the second instance, I was a little less sure. The third happened yesterday morning, and I’d swear an oath it was Fox. Always at a distance, with no attempt to speak to me or threaten me. I’m not a man easily given to fright, but this worries me, more for my wife than myself. I will gladly pay you to discover what’s happening and to keep us safe.

Your servant,

James Barton

He read it through once again and began to plan.

It’s out in under a month. You can pre-order it right here, but if you can, please buy from an independent bookshop. In the UK, this place has the best hardback price, plus free postage.

What are the critics saying?

“Nickson vividly evokes the atmosphere of nineteenth-century Leeds and keeps the plot tense and twisty throughout. A good pick for historical-mystery fans.” Booklist

“A first-rate, complex mystery that delves deeply into the many social injustices of the
time.” Kirkus Reviews

Ask your library system to order a copy. That way it’s there for everyone.

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