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The Forest Lord #4.4
The House in the Marsh
For generations, stories have been told about the ruined old house in the marsh outside Wakefield. Stories of hidden treasure, sinister night-time cries, and ghostly figures doomed to haunt the lonely estate for all eternity as punishment for some terrible crime.
This winter, it seems the old tales might just turn out to be true…
England, AD 1330
John Little, a bailiff living in Yorkshire, has little interest in ghost stories, having seen enough horrors among the living to bother much about the dead. The strange accounts from his fellow villagers have everyone talking though, and it’s not long before he’s asked to accompany a group of curious locals on nocturnal visits to the house in the marsh.
There are more worrying concerns in northern England however, as autumn gives way to winter and rumours of rogue bailiffs attacking, and even murdering people in their own homes, begin to circulate.
Along with his friends - ill-tempered Will Scaflock and the renowned friar, Robert Stafford - John is drawn inexorably into a dangerous adventure that will leave yet more people dead and only add to the eerie legends which will pass into English folklore for centuries to come.
Can John and his companions uncover the truth about the house in the marsh and its terrible secrets? And will they be able to forever exorcise the ghost haunting Wakefield, or will this Christmas be anything but merry?
Following on from Faces of Darkness and Sworn to God , this action-packed new novella is sure to brighten up even the frostiest winter nights for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Simon Scarrow, and Conn Iggulden!
PRAISE FOR STEVEN A. McKAY
"...the historical detail is seamlessly melded into a plot bursting with adrenaline and suspense...To my mind this novel is everything historical fiction should be and more ." - JAMES VELLA-BARDON, author of The Sheriff's Catch
"as a storyteller McKay is up there with the best of them ." - David's Book Blurg
"Can you hear that? No? Nothing? Yeah, nothing at all, because that silence is the sound of all the Historical Fiction competition – so far behind Steven A. McKay these days, that you can’t hear them!" - STEVE DENTON/SPEESH READS
"Dark age adventure at its gripping best." - MATTHEW HARFFY, author of Wolf of Wessex
" Lucia is a story that is at once desperate and uplifting, a story that touches you deep in your soul . If you only read one more book this year, it should be Lucia ." - Sharon Bennett Connolly, author of Silk and the Sword
This winter, it seems the old tales might just turn out to be true…
England, AD 1330
John Little, a bailiff living in Yorkshire, has little interest in ghost stories, having seen enough horrors among the living to bother much about the dead. The strange accounts from his fellow villagers have everyone talking though, and it’s not long before he’s asked to accompany a group of curious locals on nocturnal visits to the house in the marsh.
There are more worrying concerns in northern England however, as autumn gives way to winter and rumours of rogue bailiffs attacking, and even murdering people in their own homes, begin to circulate.
Along with his friends - ill-tempered Will Scaflock and the renowned friar, Robert Stafford - John is drawn inexorably into a dangerous adventure that will leave yet more people dead and only add to the eerie legends which will pass into English folklore for centuries to come.
Can John and his companions uncover the truth about the house in the marsh and its terrible secrets? And will they be able to forever exorcise the ghost haunting Wakefield, or will this Christmas be anything but merry?
Following on from Faces of Darkness and Sworn to God , this action-packed new novella is sure to brighten up even the frostiest winter nights for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Simon Scarrow, and Conn Iggulden!
PRAISE FOR STEVEN A. McKAY
"...the historical detail is seamlessly melded into a plot bursting with adrenaline and suspense...To my mind this novel is everything historical fiction should be and more ." - JAMES VELLA-BARDON, author of The Sheriff's Catch
"as a storyteller McKay is up there with the best of them ." - David's Book Blurg
"Can you hear that? No? Nothing? Yeah, nothing at all, because that silence is the sound of all the Historical Fiction competition – so far behind Steven A. McKay these days, that you can’t hear them!" - STEVE DENTON/SPEESH READS
"Dark age adventure at its gripping best." - MATTHEW HARFFY, author of Wolf of Wessex
" Lucia is a story that is at once desperate and uplifting, a story that touches you deep in your soul . If you only read one more book this year, it should be Lucia ." - Sharon Bennett Connolly, author of Silk and the Sword
- GenresHistorical Fiction
156 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 24, 2021
41 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Steven A. McKay
52 books446 followersI 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 10, 2022
The Forest Lord series is my favorite historical fiction series, and this novelette is excellent. I especially love Will.
December 18, 2021
Another excellent little read by Steven McKay
Another instalment of the adventures of Little John Bailiff to the sheriff along with Will & Tuck.
It's close to Christmas a Ghost as been reported as haunting the old Manor in the Marshes close to Wakefield.
John still about his duties heres reports of a rogue bailiff working the area.
John,Will, Tuck along with friends go out late one night to watch for the ghost to arrive.
John is confused by the reports of the rogue bailiff as he himself was in the Town of Dewsbury and he here's of problems with the Bailiff in Leeds and Dewsbury on the same night though miles apart.
Great read , the characters strong and bold, a excellent gripping little tale, the superstition of the local people having them believe in the ghost.
John's, Tuck's and Will's friendship shines through once more ultimately resolve the issues.
All in time for Christmas.
I love these little reads by Steven, they are a great look at what could have been for the main characters after Robin Hood. I thoroughly enjoyable read as always. I love the who and why ? Of the plots..
Well done , I couldn't put it down. Which I loved, brilliantly Written
Another instalment of the adventures of Little John Bailiff to the sheriff along with Will & Tuck.
It's close to Christmas a Ghost as been reported as haunting the old Manor in the Marshes close to Wakefield.
John still about his duties heres reports of a rogue bailiff working the area.
John,Will, Tuck along with friends go out late one night to watch for the ghost to arrive.
John is confused by the reports of the rogue bailiff as he himself was in the Town of Dewsbury and he here's of problems with the Bailiff in Leeds and Dewsbury on the same night though miles apart.
Great read , the characters strong and bold, a excellent gripping little tale, the superstition of the local people having them believe in the ghost.
John's, Tuck's and Will's friendship shines through once more ultimately resolve the issues.
All in time for Christmas.
I love these little reads by Steven, they are a great look at what could have been for the main characters after Robin Hood. I thoroughly enjoyable read as always. I love the who and why ? Of the plots..
Well done , I couldn't put it down. Which I loved, brilliantly Written
March 29, 2023
Medieval mystery
I hope the release of these novella mystery adventures of our favorite outlaws becomes a holiday tradition from McKay. Will Scarlet, Little John and Friar Tuck are called on to save Yorkshire from a phony bailiff who takes his job to the other extreme.
I hope the release of these novella mystery adventures of our favorite outlaws becomes a holiday tradition from McKay. Will Scarlet, Little John and Friar Tuck are called on to save Yorkshire from a phony bailiff who takes his job to the other extreme.
January 19, 2022
Every Christmas the Bard of Old Kilpatrick, Steven McKay, comes out with a short novel or novella, depending upon the length, featuring at least three reformed members of Robin Hood's old band, Little John, Friar Tuck and Will Scarlett. Where they used to be outlaws, they're now respectable members of society and John even works with the sheriff and who would have thought that would ever be possible?
Without giving too much away, you have all the ingredients for a spooky Christmas story, a deserted house, a search for treasure, some dastardly bad guys and of course, dastardly deeds. Oh yeah, we can't forget the fact there might be a ghost involved as well.
Highly entertaining and fun, this reads fast - it's only 151 pages - and will keep your attention throughout. No wasted words here, just some good, clean suspense and the expected, not to mention, anticipated, good deeds from the trio of former outlaws who help to solve the mystery.
Over the years, Steven McKay has established himself as an excellent author (if you have doubts, check out his Robin Hood series, or his latest, the Druid series) who writes books to keep you entertained so you'll say at the end "that was a good book" and be looking forward to the next one. And don't forget, every Christmas he'll more than likely have a Christmas treat for readers.
Definitely recommended for fans of Robin Hood (even though he doesn't appear) and people who enjoy a rollicking, fun romp through merry olde England. And if you'd like to find out about everything he's written, check out his website - you just might find another story there!
Without giving too much away, you have all the ingredients for a spooky Christmas story, a deserted house, a search for treasure, some dastardly bad guys and of course, dastardly deeds. Oh yeah, we can't forget the fact there might be a ghost involved as well.
Highly entertaining and fun, this reads fast - it's only 151 pages - and will keep your attention throughout. No wasted words here, just some good, clean suspense and the expected, not to mention, anticipated, good deeds from the trio of former outlaws who help to solve the mystery.
Over the years, Steven McKay has established himself as an excellent author (if you have doubts, check out his Robin Hood series, or his latest, the Druid series) who writes books to keep you entertained so you'll say at the end "that was a good book" and be looking forward to the next one. And don't forget, every Christmas he'll more than likely have a Christmas treat for readers.
Definitely recommended for fans of Robin Hood (even though he doesn't appear) and people who enjoy a rollicking, fun romp through merry olde England. And if you'd like to find out about everything he's written, check out his website - you just might find another story there!
February 13, 2022
the House in the Marsh
Yorkshire England 1330
This book is quite different from what I usually read but it is immensely interesting and enjoyable. It brings the reader back to the time when England was in quite the turmoil, in the days when people had very little quite often lived in the forests amongst the avengers to the crown, who took from the rich to give to the poor, the days just after Robin Hood.
Folks constantly had to watch their lives, as there were so many criminals around.
John Little was a bailiff, but at that time there were evil villagers who portrayed bailiffs, all the while robbing, hurting, killing and intimidating village folks. When one of the outlaws impersonated a bailiff causing serious harm John Little and Will Scarlett had to stop him from all the havoc and killings they were doing. They soon discovered who it was.
Times were cruel in those days, whereby honest men had a difficult time to live according to their standards, life was hard and considered expendable. This is an excellent novella and a fun read.
Yorkshire England 1330
This book is quite different from what I usually read but it is immensely interesting and enjoyable. It brings the reader back to the time when England was in quite the turmoil, in the days when people had very little quite often lived in the forests amongst the avengers to the crown, who took from the rich to give to the poor, the days just after Robin Hood.
Folks constantly had to watch their lives, as there were so many criminals around.
John Little was a bailiff, but at that time there were evil villagers who portrayed bailiffs, all the while robbing, hurting, killing and intimidating village folks. When one of the outlaws impersonated a bailiff causing serious harm John Little and Will Scarlett had to stop him from all the havoc and killings they were doing. They soon discovered who it was.
Times were cruel in those days, whereby honest men had a difficult time to live according to their standards, life was hard and considered expendable. This is an excellent novella and a fun read.
January 17, 2022
A cracking little Christmas read. We always hear about these characters in their supporting roles to Robin Hood and Steven has made a great set of stories including this one where Little John, Will Scarlet and Friar Tuck are the lead characters.
He has achieved this without it feeling like a ‘spin-off’. They have their own lives and loves and exist in a world post the traditional period of usual fame. A new King and society that reflects the changes that occurred post Richard and John. An interesting allegory for populism today in the latter part of this story!
His descriptive powers are excellent and I could almost feel the cold as the wind blew and the snow fell. I would suggest people read some of the other books in the series before taking on the short stories associated with the Forest Lord series. You will not be disappointed.
He has achieved this without it feeling like a ‘spin-off’. They have their own lives and loves and exist in a world post the traditional period of usual fame. A new King and society that reflects the changes that occurred post Richard and John. An interesting allegory for populism today in the latter part of this story!
His descriptive powers are excellent and I could almost feel the cold as the wind blew and the snow fell. I would suggest people read some of the other books in the series before taking on the short stories associated with the Forest Lord series. You will not be disappointed.
January 2, 2022
Another gripping tale
The Forest Lord series are a great love of mine! So it’s fab to be able to continue the journey with some of the great characters in these novellas.
The House in the Marsh is another gripping story of the tales of Little John, Will Scarlett and Friar Tuck and their adventures after returning to normal life (no longer wolf heads) thoroughly enjoyed this latest instalment and as always look forward to more. 😀 Thankyou Steven.
The Forest Lord series are a great love of mine! So it’s fab to be able to continue the journey with some of the great characters in these novellas.
The House in the Marsh is another gripping story of the tales of Little John, Will Scarlett and Friar Tuck and their adventures after returning to normal life (no longer wolf heads) thoroughly enjoyed this latest instalment and as always look forward to more. 😀 Thankyou Steven.
February 15, 2022
another very good but different Christmas fireside story, from a very talented author whose books just keeps getting better and better, a book full of mystery action, and suspense as the reformed outlaws now working on the right side of the law try to solve the weird and haunting events going-on in and around Wakefield highly recommend this and any of Steven A. McKay's other books
December 31, 2021
Great short story.
I thoroughly enjoyed the latest short story installment of his series! I hope Mr. McKay continues these Christmas releases so we all get to enjoy the adventures of Little John, Will and Tuck.
I thoroughly enjoyed the latest short story installment of his series! I hope Mr. McKay continues these Christmas releases so we all get to enjoy the adventures of Little John, Will and Tuck.
Read
December 31, 2021Good read for Christmas.
What can I say but yet another good story from Steven, who in my opinion just gets better and better. Read this in one day on New Years Eve and look forward to the next Droid book.
What can I say but yet another good story from Steven, who in my opinion just gets better and better. Read this in one day on New Years Eve and look forward to the next Droid book.
January 5, 2022
Christmas short story.
A really enjoyable read.
Like the other Little John, Friar Tuck and Will Scarlett stories in the series seeing how the characters are aging and adapting to their new lives around Wakefield makes me want to keep reading about their adventures.
A really enjoyable read.
Like the other Little John, Friar Tuck and Will Scarlett stories in the series seeing how the characters are aging and adapting to their new lives around Wakefield makes me want to keep reading about their adventures.
January 11, 2022
Great read
Yet again another great story keeping tuck, scarlet and John busy. I really enjoy these fireside yarns especially at this time of year when the nights are long and cold.
Drama, suspense, action its got it all nicely wrapped and ready for Christmas.
Yet again another great story keeping tuck, scarlet and John busy. I really enjoy these fireside yarns especially at this time of year when the nights are long and cold.
Drama, suspense, action its got it all nicely wrapped and ready for Christmas.
October 1, 2022
Not very exciting
This is a bit boring I like the previous book but this is so predictable
The ending was just so ordinary that it seemed a waste of a story
Not for adults with a mind more a kids book
won't be reading anymore
This is a bit boring I like the previous book but this is so predictable
The ending was just so ordinary that it seemed a waste of a story
Not for adults with a mind more a kids book
won't be reading anymore
January 16, 2022
Another great read from Steven A Mckay
Another excellent short story by this talented author. I can't recommend his tales of Robin Hood and his band of merry men highly enough.
Another excellent short story by this talented author. I can't recommend his tales of Robin Hood and his band of merry men highly enough.
April 14, 2022
A FUN AND
light read and totally out of my genre. A delightful detour as a follow up to Robinhood and his merry men.
light read and totally out of my genre. A delightful detour as a follow up to Robinhood and his merry men.
February 27, 2023
Disappointed
August 31, 2025
Quite boring and zero horror
November 22, 2025
His novellas are an absolute thing of joy, and this fulfilled that brief. Absolute joy, thank you Steven A McKay.
February 26, 2022
another very good but different Christmas fireside story, from a very talented author whose books just keeps getting better and better, a book full of mystery action, and suspense as the reformed outlaws now working on the right side of the law try to solve the weird and haunting events going-on in and around Wakefield highly recommend this and any of Steven A. McKay's other books
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews