The Isle of Wesberrey Mysteries
8 primary works
Book 1
Despite a serious cat allergy and her mother's warnings of doom and disaster, Reverend Jessamy Ward is excited to return to her early childhood home on the Isle of Wesberrey. There she will take up her new role as parish priest of St. Bridget's Abbey.
However, she should have heeded her mother's warning for there are secrets waiting for her. Secrets that do not wish to be known. Secrets that will force her to question not only her vocation but her sanity too.
Worse yet, when her return coincides with a murder, could it be that she is the root cause?
Finding herself on rocky ground, can Jess uncover the killer, or will the unearthing of her own family's secrets destroy her new life?
However, she should have heeded her mother's warning for there are secrets waiting for her. Secrets that do not wish to be known. Secrets that will force her to question not only her vocation but her sanity too.
Worse yet, when her return coincides with a murder, could it be that she is the root cause?
Finding herself on rocky ground, can Jess uncover the killer, or will the unearthing of her own family's secrets destroy her new life?
Book 2
Jess Ward has only been back on the Isle of Wesberrey for a few weeks, but all the recent drama has made it feel a lot longer. Drama much increased by the unexpected arrival of her sister Susannah.
The bishop is due in a few days to formally install her into the benefice of St. Bridget's and there is so much to prepare. Add to that a double funeral and a surprise visit from her mother and Jess has no time for family legends about the 'godmother' and the Well of the Triple Goddess.
However, the disappearance of a wealthy businessman forces Jess to reexamine her personal connection to this ancient family myth - her family claim they can sense that he is dead.
It's all madness, of course. But the discovery of his body at his father-in-law's funeral drags them all back into the island's darkest secrets.
Her best friend has gone AWOL with the handsome undertaker and her sister is proving to be an unwanted distraction for the dishy police inspector.
Things move fast on Wesberrey, and it's enough to make Jess dizzy. Or is that the result of reconnecting with her pagan past?
The bishop is due in a few days to formally install her into the benefice of St. Bridget's and there is so much to prepare. Add to that a double funeral and a surprise visit from her mother and Jess has no time for family legends about the 'godmother' and the Well of the Triple Goddess.
However, the disappearance of a wealthy businessman forces Jess to reexamine her personal connection to this ancient family myth - her family claim they can sense that he is dead.
It's all madness, of course. But the discovery of his body at his father-in-law's funeral drags them all back into the island's darkest secrets.
Her best friend has gone AWOL with the handsome undertaker and her sister is proving to be an unwanted distraction for the dishy police inspector.
Things move fast on Wesberrey, and it's enough to make Jess dizzy. Or is that the result of reconnecting with her pagan past?
Book 3
Jess Ward joined the Wesberrey Walkers to get fit. But it might be the death of her!
Obliged to look after her older sister's handsome and driven Brazilian lover, Jess introduces Frederico to the local walking group. With the annual Wesberrey Walkathon a few weeks away, everyone has their sights on the prize, but is there someone in the group prepared to kill for it?
A mysterious illness lays low several walkers and Jess suspects foul play. Who would deliberately poison their competition, and how did they do it? Still unsure of the reality of her newly discovered psychic abilities, but with little else to go on, Jess tries to channel help from a higher plane.
Can Jess trust her own intuition? Who or what is bringing everyone to their knees? Is it a dodgy hummus, or a deadly human?
Wrong Doers, it's time to say your prayers!
Obliged to look after her older sister's handsome and driven Brazilian lover, Jess introduces Frederico to the local walking group. With the annual Wesberrey Walkathon a few weeks away, everyone has their sights on the prize, but is there someone in the group prepared to kill for it?
A mysterious illness lays low several walkers and Jess suspects foul play. Who would deliberately poison their competition, and how did they do it? Still unsure of the reality of her newly discovered psychic abilities, but with little else to go on, Jess tries to channel help from a higher plane.
Can Jess trust her own intuition? Who or what is bringing everyone to their knees? Is it a dodgy hummus, or a deadly human?
Wrong Doers, it's time to say your prayers!
Book 4
Murder in a remote island parish ought to be rare ...
When Reverend Ward gives the local archeological society permission to dig up the old well beneath the baptismal font, she has no idea the trouble it will cause.
She doesn't know why it was covered over ... but someone does.
Some secrets are supposed to stay hidden.
When Reverend Ward gives the local archeological society permission to dig up the old well beneath the baptismal font, she has no idea the trouble it will cause.
She doesn't know why it was covered over ... but someone does.
Some secrets are supposed to stay hidden.
Book 5
The summer regatta is in full swing, but this isn't the most highly anticipated event in the local social calendar. The wedding of the year is only days away, and romance is in the air for everyone ... until a body washes up.
Was it a tragic accident?
No, probably not.
Following on from her recent sleuthing successes, the islanders expect Reverend Jess Ward to solve the mystery. But in a race to find the truth, will she be forced to accept her family's supernatural past? Can she crack this case without embracing her own mystical, pagan side?
Find out in Consecrated Crime!
Was it a tragic accident?
No, probably not.
Following on from her recent sleuthing successes, the islanders expect Reverend Jess Ward to solve the mystery. But in a race to find the truth, will she be forced to accept her family's supernatural past? Can she crack this case without embracing her own mystical, pagan side?
Find out in Consecrated Crime!
Book 6
Murder in a remote island parish ought to be rare ...
Knee-deep in offerings for the harvest festival and battling the bellringers who appear to be on strike, another mystery is the last thing Jess needs.
However, when the latest body is discovered, it coincides with the arrival of a film crew looking to make a documentary about the now-famous sleuthing vicar. Worse yet, the TV people are led by an old flame.
Unexpectedly at the center of her own true crime story, all she really wants to do is hide away with a pumpkin-spiced latte. Her cosy night by the fire will have to wait though. There's a killer at large.
Add to the mix some clumsy attempts at courting from the school headmaster and more convincing romantic overtures from the handsome blast from the past and Jess is going to have her work cut out solving this one.
Knee-deep in offerings for the harvest festival and battling the bellringers who appear to be on strike, another mystery is the last thing Jess needs.
However, when the latest body is discovered, it coincides with the arrival of a film crew looking to make a documentary about the now-famous sleuthing vicar. Worse yet, the TV people are led by an old flame.
Unexpectedly at the center of her own true crime story, all she really wants to do is hide away with a pumpkin-spiced latte. Her cosy night by the fire will have to wait though. There's a killer at large.
Add to the mix some clumsy attempts at courting from the school headmaster and more convincing romantic overtures from the handsome blast from the past and Jess is going to have her work cut out solving this one.
Book 7
It's been nine months since Rev Jess Ward returned to the island of her birth. Nine crazy months of uncovering her family's pagan history, her own psychic gifts, and a veritable cornucopia of secrets and lies.
Is it too much to hope that her first Halloween on Wesberrey will pass without incident?
Of course it is.
When tragedy strikes the island's close-knit community on the night when the veil between heaven and earth is at its thinnest, Jess needs her family more than ever. But although she is surrounded by those who love her, Jess has never felt so alone.
Join Rev Jess Ward as she discovers her true identity and learns how to harness her new knowledge to root out those with murderous intent.
Is it too much to hope that her first Halloween on Wesberrey will pass without incident?
Of course it is.
When tragedy strikes the island's close-knit community on the night when the veil between heaven and earth is at its thinnest, Jess needs her family more than ever. But although she is surrounded by those who love her, Jess has never felt so alone.
Join Rev Jess Ward as she discovers her true identity and learns how to harness her new knowledge to root out those with murderous intent.
Book 8
How much trouble can a bake sale cause?
It's Christmas time and the islanders are ripe for celebrating, yet amongst the nativity plays, mince pies and tinsel, all is not well in the parish of Wesberrey.
Reverent Jess has a major life event for which she ought to be preparing, yet finds herself mediating when a friendly competition between the local girl guides and boy scouts turns into outright rivalry. And that's just the tip of the iceberg!
To a backdrop of holiday season drama, a local mystic vanishes, and worrying reports of a ghostly nun arise. The clock is ticking down to Midnight Mass, so at a time when heaven and earth could not be closer, can Jess pull off a miracle?
It's Christmas time and the islanders are ripe for celebrating, yet amongst the nativity plays, mince pies and tinsel, all is not well in the parish of Wesberrey.
Reverent Jess has a major life event for which she ought to be preparing, yet finds herself mediating when a friendly competition between the local girl guides and boy scouts turns into outright rivalry. And that's just the tip of the iceberg!
To a backdrop of holiday season drama, a local mystic vanishes, and worrying reports of a ghostly nun arise. The clock is ticking down to Midnight Mass, so at a time when heaven and earth could not be closer, can Jess pull off a miracle?