Tobias Campion
3 total works
It is spring 1810 and young parson Tobias Campion is looking forward to taking over the small Warwickshire parish of Moreton Priory. But his first night in the village gets off to an inauspicious start when Tobias has to prevent a rich young blood from molesting the pretty housemaid Lizzie Woodman. Befriended by the local doctor, Edmund Hansard, and the capable Mrs Beckles, Tobias soon settles into his new role. He finds there is plenty to keep him busy in the parish. But beneath the quiet village life Tobias has a troubling sense that all is not quite as it seems.In the meantime, his admiration for Lizzie soon blossoms into something more. But he is not the only man competing for her attention and Tobias resigns himself to the fact that his feelings for the girl will remain unrequited. Besides, he soon has more serious matters to attend to. The suspicious death of poacher, the untimely demise of a local aristocrat and a mysterious attack on Tobias himself confirms his previous misgivings; malign influence is at work in the supposedly sleepy hamlet. And then Lizzie disappears. Tobias and Dr Hansard resolve to investigate.In their search for answers they find themselves delving into the dark secrets of the past, not anticipating the serious danger to which they are exposing not just themselves but also those they love.
Tobias Campion is happily settled as vicar at Moreton Priory. He finds the new lady living of Moreton Hall a charming and generous spirited member of his parish who is only too willing to help Tobias and his friend Dr Hansard look after the less fortunate in the community. Lady Chase's nephew, Marcus Bramhall, however is another kettle of fish. No sooner has he moved his entire family into the Hall, under the pretence of concern for his aunt's recent widow status, than things start going awry. Miss Southey, the Bramhall family's ill-treated governess, intrigues Tobias with her secretive ways. When a stranger's body is found in a river on the estate, Tobias and Hansard suspect foul play. Who is the man? Evidence suggests he has travelled a fair distance but why? When it appears he may have something to do with Lady Chase's lost son, and then Miss Southey mysteriously disappears, Tobias realises he and Hansard may have to adopt their sleuthing cloaks once again.
It is Easter Day, and a body hangs crucified on a tree. Unlike the Master whom Tobias serves, it will not rise from the dead. Naked except for a loincloth and a crown of thorns, the victim is unrecognisable, his face bludgeoned to a pulp.