Theo A Novella by Paul Torday.

    Theo A Novella by Paul Torday.

"The mind can play tricks on you. Sometimes people see things just because they want to see them."

Trailers have always been popular in promoting new films about to be released. The new trend in novels is to release a prequel or a parallel story to lead into the main novel. Writers seem to favour the ebook to promote their latest novel. Theo is a prequel to Light Shining in the Forest, a macabre tale of murder, child abduction and the supernatural.

John Elliott is the main character, a disillusioned priest, questioning his beliefs and deciding that he was a failure. He is the vicar of St. Joseph's church although he could quite so easily have been an accountant or a solicitor. His world was turned upside down when his father, a Minister of the Church of Scotland died suddenly at the age of 50. John was devastated and believed that by studying theology at Durham University would be the best path to follow. Initially, he was full of optimism hoping to encourage his parish to attend the church instead of filling just the first three rows of the church with its ageing members and the rest of the church empty.

News that someone has ripped off a long section of lead from the roof causing water to leak through the roof adds to the  depression at the opening for someone who is already regretting his "vocation". John's wife Christine was a primary teacher and it was through contact at the school that Theo was introduced, an unusual child with serious wounds and marks to indicate that he was physically abused.

The Reverend Alfred Stone was the previous vicar who suffered a mental breakdown and was being treated at St. Mark's. He asked to see John twice and questioned John's beliefs in God and the church. "Do you believe in the resurrection? Do you believe Jesus really died?" John was shocked by these questions, more so when he was asked if he had experienced any strange dreams. He is told that when he next visits Alfred he will learn about an incident that happened a few years ago at St Joseph's. A disturbing incident.

George is disfigured with a snout-like face and he likes to remain in the shadows watching the children playing. He admits to not having had a proper childhood. He attends the church for one year then mysteriously leaves. John finds him odd and an enigma.

A sinister figure, a mad person, mysterious night-time wanderings in the graveyard and cryptic warnings linked to stigmata. recurrent nightmares. Why does Theo need protection? What is going on? Find out……….


ebook available from Amazon.

Copyright 2014. Permission must be obtained from the writer before this article review is copied or reproduced.

Comments

  1. Carol Naylor29 August 2014 at 04:13

    I have not written about asperger's. I am not sure what you are trying to say. This ebook is a work of fiction based on the author's anger over the handling of Baby P.

    ReplyDelete

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