Originally published as A Gathering of Ghosts.
IT STARTS WITH A SIMPLE PLANNING REQUEST . . .
Rampton Farm, Northumberland, has always been a gloomy, godforsaken place. Now it’s earmarked for demolition — to make way for just another tawdry amusement park.
It will be progress. And nothing can stand in the way.
Except perhaps Arnold Landon, the Planning Officer who must glean the lie of the land.
Medieval architecture is Arnold’s passion. And scouting the grounds, he makes a thrilling discovery. The Old Wheat Barn.
He is captivated the moment he crosses the threshold. Its walls echo with whispers of the past.
Then and there, he realises he must save it from the developers. But his efforts meet with hostile resistance. And then the barn offers up its most shocking secret yet.
A dead body, sprawled in the straw.
What other crimes lay hidden in the dark history of the barn? Arnold won’t rest until he uncovers the truth.
Murder in the Barn marks the beginning of an addictive new series, featuring an unlikely hero whose passions run deep.
Fans of Elly Griffiths, Peter James, P.D. James, Damien Boyd, Helen H. Durrant, JD Kirk, Bill Kitson and Peter Robinson will devour this intriguing new mystery.
THE DETECTIVE
Planning Officer Arnold Landon is somewhat inhibited and painfully aware of his lack of academic background. He lives in the North East of England and as self-taught archaeologist he confounds academic experts with his detailed knowledge, which involves him in a local murder. His expertise brings him promotion in due course to the Archaeology Department where he meets frustration, which he nevertheless overcomes by making important discoveries of ancient artefacts while playing a leading role in solving local crimes. A succession of opportunities for further promotion pass him by because of his desire to remain in touch with the detailed history of sites in Northumberland and this leads to further conflict, first with his inadequate superior and then with the stunningly beautiful Karen Stannard and, later in his career, the Italian archaeologist Carmela Cacciatore.
