Western wind (Vintage Publishing)

Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction 2019 - Longlist 15th century Oakham, in Somerset; a tiny village cut off aby a big river with no bridge. When a man is swept away by the river in the early hours of Shrove Saturday, an explanation has to be found: accident, suicide or murder$427 The village priest, John Reve, is privy to many secrets in his role as confessor.

But will he be able to unravel what happened to the victim, Thomas Newman, the wealthiest, most capable and industrious man in the village$428 And what will happen if he can't$429Moving back in time towards the moment of Thomas Newman's death, the story is related żeby Reve - an extraordinary creation, a patient shepherd to his wayward flock, and a man with secrets of his own to keep.

Through his eyes, and his indelible voice, Harvey creates a medieval world entirely tangible in its immediacy.