A saxon shadow, p.21
A Saxon Shadow, page 21
“Looks like they’re more than happy to leave the village behind, no matter how perfect it is,” said Jimmy.
Shadow returned Olivia’s wave. “I think it’s the past they’re leaving behind and I for one don’t blame them. It’s time for everyone to move on.”
The End
Author’s Note
A Saxon Shadow is a work of fiction, but it does include some real places that I used for inspiration. Not far from where I live are St Hilda’s at Ellerburn and St Gregory’s at Kirkdale, two beautiful Saxon churches that were the inspiration for St Cuthbert’s in Ellerdale. Whitby Abbey now lies in ruins but was once one of the largest and most important religious sites in the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria. Today you can still visit the abbey. If, unlike Shadow, you climb up the one hundred and ninety-nine steps, you are rewarded with a wonderful view of the town and harbour. The ruins of St Mary’s Abbey in Museum Gardens, York, are also worth a visit. While there, you can also drop into the Yorkshire Museum where you can see the Gilling sword I refer to. The sword was discovered in 1976 by nine-year-old Garry Fridd in Gilling West, North Yorkshire.
The legend of Alfred’s or Aldfrith’s Hoard is also made up for the purpose of this story but was inspired by King Alfred’s Cave, in Ebberston. In 705AD, a great battle took place in the fields between the villages of Allerston and Ebberston. The defeated King Alfred of Northumbria was taken to a hill above the battle, where he later died. In 1790, a monument known as Alfred’s Cave was built in his memory. Although the king and battle are long forgotten the monument remains and even today the field where the battle took place and the beck that runs through it are known as the ‘Bloody Field’ and the ‘Bloody Beck’.
Acknowledgements
Thanks so much to everyone at the incredible Tule Publishing:
Jane Porter, Meghan Farrell, Cyndi Parent, Mia Gleason, Kelly Hunter and Julie Sturgeon.
I am very lucky to work with an amazing team of editors who offer endless advice and encouragement.
Huge thanks to Sinclair Sawhney, Helena Newton and Marlene Roberts, who manage to bring some sense and order to all my ramblings.
Many thanks also to Lee Hyat and Patrick Knowles for coordinating and designing such a perfect cover.
A Saxon Shadow Crossword
Across
1. A coin fit for a king (10 letters)
4. Canute and Hilda double up with Unwin and Ric in this place of worship (6 letters)
6. Care who wins in this competition of speed (4 letters)
7. Reverse Pam to help you find your way (3 letters)
9. Did Ralph rive this waterway? (5 letters)
10. Lance brings the reed and ivy to me (8 letters)
Down
2. Germanic settlers were lax when they sang at noon (10 letters)
3. Initially, Alfred is sure the rat is valuable (8 letters)
5. Lug Barry along to break-in and take something that isn’t his (8 letters)
8. Oils in the earth can’t be a good thing (4 letters)
A Saxon Shadow Crossword Solution
If you enjoyed A Saxon Shadow, you’ll love the next book in….
The Chief Inspector Shadow series
Book 1: A Long Shadow
Book 2: A Viking’s Shadow
Book 3: A Ghostly Shadow
Book 4: A Roman Shadow
Book 5: A Forgotten Shadow
Book 6: A Christmas Shadow
Book 7: A Stolen Shadow
Book 8: A Saxon Shadow
More books by H L Marsay
The Lady in Blue Mysteries series
Book 1: The Body in Seven Dials
Book 2: A Death in Chelsea
Book 3: The Mystery of the Missing Frenchman
The Secrets of Hartwell series
Book 1: Four Hidden Treasures
Book 2: Four Secrets Kept
Book 3: Four Silences Broken
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About the Author
H L Marsay grew up binge-reading detective stories and promised herself that some day, she would write one too. A Long Shadow was the first book in her Chief Inspector Shadow series set in York. Luckily, living in a city so full of history, dark corners and hidden snickelways, she is never short of inspiration. She has also written The Secrets of Hartwell Trilogy and The Lady in Blue Mysteries. The Chief Inspector Shadow Mysteries have recently been optioned for television.
When she isn’t coming up with new ways to bump people off, she enjoys drinking red wine, eating dark chocolate and reading Agatha Christie – preferably at the same time!
Visit H L’s website
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H L Marsay, A Saxon Shadow
