Place of Repose: St Cuthbert’s Last Journey

by Katharine Tiernan

The year is 875, and the Danish King of York, Halfden Ragnarsson, is carrying fire and sword across Northumbria, burning churches and monasteries and killing their inhabitants. The once-great Christian kingdom is at the mercy of the heathen. The monks of Lindisfarne flee, taking the relics of Saint Cuthbert and the Lindisfarne Gospels with them. Their journey in search of a new home for the Saint lasts for seven years and changes the lives of the men who bear him for ever.

Katharine Tiernan's second novel is a tale of violence and intrigue, revenge and reconciliation – and of true love lost and found. An extraordinary story combines with the skilful and engaging recreation of characters and relationships at this fateful moment in the survival of Northumbria. Always in the background is the mysterious presence of Cuthbert, as the threads of destiny that will bind heathen and Christian, Dane and Saxon start to weave together.

Genres: Christianity

195 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 2020

Reviews

[Jessica Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this. It is very different to the first in the series, reflecting the changes to society and the Church in the 200 years since Cuthbert's death, less about aestheticism and the soul, more practicalities of living as a person of faith in a time of conflict and change. I loved the journey the two main voices of Eadred and Stithard go on-it would be easy to cast Eadred as a pompous careerist, which he is, but is also a holy man who is humbled by his pride and poor decision making. By the end you are rooting for him. Same with Stithard, you see the conflict he goes through.
I am very much looking forward to the third book in this series, she is a terrific writer and it's a shame these books are wider read or publicised- I only discovered them in a Lindisfarne gift shop.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The monks of Lindisfarne flee from the Danes taking the relics of St Cuthbert with them. Their journeys around the north of England to find sanctuary and a resting place for the saint last for seven years before a peaceful solution is found for the Brothers and Northumbria. The facts from historical records are skilfully woven into the story so the characters and places come to life.

[Karin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying follow on from Cuthbert of Farne based on Simeon of Durham’s account. Katherine puts flesh of the bones of the coffin bearers and other clergy in a way that reminds us that they were people just like us. Particularly enjoyable if you are familiar with the area.

[Sophy Jubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book wins on so many levels: it’s absorbing; it’s entertaining (the characters spring from the page); and it’s informative.