'Strong characterisation, historical accuracy, and a compelling storyline combine with pulse-pounding action . . . culminating in a tail-twisting climax'

'A riveting tale of heroism, desperate courage, and enormous resource in the face of overwhelming adversity makes for compulsive reading'

'A fast moving, exciting, and well crafted plot brings eighteenth century Ireland vividly to life  . . .  and makes you glad you weren't there. A gripping novel'
East Midlands Arts

It is May 1798 and Ireland is about to burst into rebellion. Patrick Kelly, the son of a blacksmith, plans to follow his father's trade, then marry his childhood sweetheart, Sarah Reynolds. His dreams are shattered when psychopathic cavalryman, Cornet Billy Evans of the Ancient Britons, murders Kelly's father and brother. Kelly manages to escape and vows revenge . . . . .

“Father O’Brien!” a voice screamed. “’Twas Father O’Brien. From Athy.” 
     With horror, Kelly realised that it was his father. The troopers had him lashed to a wooden triangle, and were standing in a loose circle around him. The blacksmith was naked, except for a pair of blood-soaked pantaloons, and his back was striped with vivid red weals. Something white glistened in the blood on the blacksmith’s muscled back. Bile gagged in Kelly’s throat, as he realised that it was his father’s ribs he could see; the flesh was being flayed off him.
    Cornet Evans, in his shirtsleeves, was standing to one side, separating the strands of a cat-o’-nine-tails through his bloody fingers. “Who else?” he snarled.
    “That’s all I know,” the blacksmith spat, shaking his head.
    Evans grunted; another red slash appeared just above the blacksmith’s buttocks. “You’ll tell us! Everyone does in the end,” Evans laughed then swung the dripping cords back again.