Return of the Wolf: The classic medieval action adventure series is back!

by Steven A. McKay

England's greatest ever hero is back, but for how long?

AD 1331 - Wakefield, England
It's been five long years since Robin Hood's heart-breaking funeral. Since then, his friends have moved on with their lives, having adventures of their own, and becoming respected figures in the local community. But, as Christmas bells rang out last December, to everyone's shock, Robin returned home to Wakefield, alive and well.

He believes all his old enemies are dead and gone, and is looking forward to living a peaceful life with his wife and young children. Things rarely work out as we plan them though, and it's not long before a deadly new threat raises its head.
The Coterel gang are notorious throughout England, committing all kinds of heinous crimes including extortion, prostitution, kidnapping, and even murder. They appear untouchable, with noblemen and even Members of Parliament amongst their members. When Robin and his friends attack a cruel extortionist in nearby Notton they find themselves on the wrong side of the Coterels, and it seems Robin will be forced to live either as an outlaw again, or be viciously hunted down like an animal.

Although his choices are limited, one - seemingly mad - option presents itself and, before long Robin takes sail for the first time ever, on the trail of the legendary lost treasure of King John.
With John Little, Will Scaflock, Friar Tuck, and two loyal Hospitallers in tow, Robin travels across Europe to Flanders, Aachen, and finally the mythical, legend-haunted mountain known as the Untersberg. Will he find England's lost crown jewels there, or will he find only danger and death?
Find out in this brand new Forest Lord adventure that's sure to be devoured by fans of Bernard Cornwell, Peter Gibbons, Griff Hosker, and Simon Scarrow!

Genres: Historical Fiction

369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2025

About the author

I was born in 1977, near Glasgow in Scotland and live in Old Kilpatrick with my wife and two young children. After obtaining my Bachelor of Arts degree I decided to follow my life-long ambition and write a novel. The Forest Lord series now has four novels, and various short spin-off tales.

My new book "The Heathen Horde" is the first in a brand series following Alfred the Great. It comes out on October 26 2023 so please check it out and pre-order if you can!

I play guitar and write all my books while listening to extreme metal.
In 2022 I started a podcast with fellow historical author Matthew Harffy. You can subscribe to Rock, Paper, Swords! on all the usual podcast outlets and also find the audio on Youtube every fortnight.

Reviews

[Khurram · Rating 5 out of 5]

The return

This is a book that was well worth the wait. The last book came out nine years ago (the book is set 5 years later in the story). I love the premise of this book and the research that went into the book. This is a winning formula the perfect blend of dark humour, morals, superstitions, honour and brutal violence.

With Robin's return supposedly from the dead to his home will life go back to normal? Unfortunately for Robin, his normal for the majority of his adult life meant hiding or fighting for his life. With his status still as a Wolf's Head and the attention of a powerful noble family thing for him might not have changed. However, his salvation might lie in the legend of King John. A legend that will expand his horizon and that he and his friends way out of their comfort zones.

I am so glad Steven brought Robin back and on a personal level I was so happy to see Robin with his bow again. Even if it is for just a couple of impossible shots. I live this version of Robin but he tends to use swords and strength more than the bow and arrows.

I also like how Robin's personality changes through the book. He starts more subdued happy for the quiet family life, but when threatened and forced to take charge the "Forest Lord" will return. He might even return again?

[David Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe it’s been 9 years since I read Blood of the Wolf and thought I was saying goodbye to Robin forever!

In that time the author has treated us to some wonderful mystery/supernatural tales involving some of Robin’s friends.. Tuck, John and Will.. oh how I’ve loved these novels keeping the memory of this wonderful series alive but at the same time giving the reader something new and exciting..

Imagine my joy to find out a new book was coming… I knew Robin wasn’t dead! Robin faked his death to give himself a chance at a real life.. a quiet life with his family…

Yeah that was never going to last…

Robin has returned to Wakefield and while most are glad to see him back Robin feels a little out of place.. its hard to remember his old life as an outlaw.. but some things never leave you..

When Robin helps John collect some money in his role as Bailiff he ends up getting himself in a bit of bother which serves to remind him.. he’s technically a Wolf’s Head again.. an outlaw.. no one who knows him would ever turn him in but he’s quickly got himself on the wrong side of the Coterel gang..the Coterel’s are very well connected and won’t think twice about slaying him where he stands.

Robin needs to keep a low profile but he’s also at a loss as to what to actually do with himself.. that’s when the old tale of the old King’s lost treasure comes in..it might be just a story but who knows.. it could be real and if so it could be his way to earn himself a pardon from the current King and secure himself from the Coterel’s reach.

With his old friends in tow Robin heads away from England to go on the farthest journey he’s ever made.. unfortunately they aren’t the only ones making the journey so Robin will need to watch his back…

To make matters worse as they follow the breadcrumbs in a land quite unknown to themselves they inadvertently show their intent and a local lord sends his own men out on a path to reach the treasure before Robin.

Can Robin and the others make it to the treasure first? Hang on.. does the treasure even exist? If it does will it be enough to win a pardon? Can they make it out of this mess alive?

What I really enjoyed was the tone and development of the plot. Robin has been away for a while and the author doesn’t shy away from that.. rather embraces it, allowing them to develop Robin afresh.. you see him grow and gain his confidence back.

I also really enjoyed the nostalgia, instantly taking me back to the very first time Robin become a wolf’s head.. it really made me miss the series.. especially some the characters like Alan-a-Dale.. I really think I’m going to need to revisit the series to relive everything again.

I loved that the author didn’t ignore the fact that everyone has aged too..they aren’t as young and fresh as they once were.. but still pack a punch when needed and those action scenes were bloody fantastic. The camaraderie too was super with some real moments of hilarity even in the face of danger.

Overall I loved this one. The author manages to mix mystery and the legend that is Robin Hood effortlessly, it was fresh, fun and does the series proud!

A triumphant return for our hero.. 5*

[Richard West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this - the fifth in the Forest Lord series - was like visiting an old friend you haven't seen for a while since it's been a number of years since the fourth installment came our way - and this one, like its predecessors, doesn't disappoint. Granted, we've been kept up-to-date with the adventures of Robin Hood's gang with Tuck, Little John and Will showing up in the annual Christmas novellas which have become a tradition much like putting up a tree, but this one features what we'll call the Main Man, Robin Hood.

When last heard from, Robin was dead and buried, but he popped back up alive and well at the end of last year's Christmas bonus and now he's once again ready to take on a new adventure. Well - it's about time! We can't have Robin Hood living a domesticated life and raising a family - he's a man of action - so it's time to leave the family behind and go off on a new adventure. And does he ever go off - into Europe.

Whatever in the world would send him off to Europe and the Holy Roman Empire? How about searching for the Royal crown jewels which King John managed to lose? And why do that? How about to get a pardon from the King? That seems like a good reason.

After a couple of minor adventures in England, it's off to Europe where most of the action takes place which most definitely isn't England. What exactly are they looking for? Do Robin, John, Tuck and Will find that treasure? Does Robin get his pardon so he can settle into a life of domesticity or is he slated to remain an outlaw? There's only one way to find out and that's to get the book and read it. And if you haven't read its four predecessors and last year's Christmas story, you'll definitely want to pick them up and read them as well.

Steven McKay has shown himself to be an imaginative writer who has a way with a story and keeps the reader engrossed in the story up to the last page where you find yourself wishing he had written more. Once you're read the Forest Lord series and if you're looking for more, start in on his series featuring Bellicus (hope I spelled that right) the Druid for even more exciting entertainment in the early days of England, or there's always his 3-part series on Alfred the Great. The man is prolific, but always writes something well worth your time. Return of the Wolf is no exception.

[Michael greenhalgh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The return of robin

Enjoyed reading the latest forest lord book liked the way it went back to king johns time in which a lot of robin hood stories are based and wove it in to a fantastic story that took robin to new adventures

[Jon Hollihan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mission turns into an adventure with friends, then into a grand quest with help of others. The return of Robin Hood to Wakefield raises old issues to resolve, when an opportunity grows and has our heroes traipsing across England and deep into the Holy Roman Empire.
Well-written, and enjoyable to read with the known characters falling back into familiar routine of joking and protecting each other. The author expands the sphere of Robin and his friends into a well researched and interesting tale. Truly enjoy this author’s talents in imaginative story-telling. Friends, foes, fear and fighting. Great stuff.

[Richard R., Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first third of the book was pretty boring. If I was not a true fan of the Forest Lord series I would stopped reading, but it really picked up from there but not enough to earn 5 stars.

[W. Boal · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Steven announced that he was considered bringing Robin Hood back, I was genuinely excited. His series was brilliant, and the subsequent novellas every year have become one of my Christmas holiday, traditional highlights. Return of the Wolf is fantastic as we see the gang leave Wakefield in a quest for King John's lost treasure.
There are new enemies and old friends. I think that is a good illustration of how Steven has somehow carried the "feel" and fun of the original series, yet also brought an edge that enhances the dangers and risks that Hood and his friends face.