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Consider the Ravens
(2026)(The first book in the Scribe of Lindisfarne series)
A novel by Cressida Downing
'A superb trip back in time to 15th century Lindisfarne, which is evoked with a tremendous sense of place and engaging characters' S G MacLean
Lindisfarne in 1494 is a holy island of secrets.
The scribe Linnet is running from her criminal past and seeking sanctuary in the island of her childhood. She's friendless in the monastery, the monks resentful of a woman scribe, and her only company is Tom the fisherman and a child, Isabelle – watchful, clever and unlikeable ''' with her partly tamed raven Pol.
The monastery bursar Oswyn threatens to expose Linnet's past but she isn't the only one with secrets to hide. Intent upon uncovering the monks' misdeeds is the fanatic inspector, sent by the new Bishop of Durham to write a report on the monastery.
When Oswyn is found drowned, Linnet suspects the death is not accidental.
After another death, Linnet realises there's a killer amongst the brethren, and her own precarious position makes her vulnerable – unless she can first identify who it could be…
Genre: Historical Mystery
Lindisfarne in 1494 is a holy island of secrets.
The scribe Linnet is running from her criminal past and seeking sanctuary in the island of her childhood. She's friendless in the monastery, the monks resentful of a woman scribe, and her only company is Tom the fisherman and a child, Isabelle – watchful, clever and unlikeable ''' with her partly tamed raven Pol.
The monastery bursar Oswyn threatens to expose Linnet's past but she isn't the only one with secrets to hide. Intent upon uncovering the monks' misdeeds is the fanatic inspector, sent by the new Bishop of Durham to write a report on the monastery.
When Oswyn is found drowned, Linnet suspects the death is not accidental.
After another death, Linnet realises there's a killer amongst the brethren, and her own precarious position makes her vulnerable – unless she can first identify who it could be…
Genre: Historical Mystery
Praise for this book
"Consider the Ravens is a clever and satisfying mystery, richly told and filled with fascinating historical details. Cressida Downing has written a wonderful debut novel and I can't wait to return to Lindisfarne to follow Linnet the scribe on her next adventure." - Chris Ewan
"Consider the Ravens offers a superb trip back in time to 15th century Lindisfarne, which is evoked with a tremendous sense of place and engaging characters as woman scribe Linnet and priory orphan Isabelle, accompanied by her glorious raven, Pol, flit through the light and shadows of a windswept monastic world" - Shona MacLean
"A woman flees her chequered past, as well as the men who checkered it. She takes refuge as a scribe in a priory on an isolated island - and then the bodies start to fall! Cressida Downing's true achievement is in bringing to life daily existence in 15th century Lindisfarne Priory, keeping track of every detail while building the mystery and its solution. In Linnet, she has created a fascinating woman who is fighting to survive in a man's profession and who becomes a reluctant detective to do so." - Allison Montclair
"Cressida is a natural writer, with an incredible ability to weave a richly textured story." - LJ Ross
"In this gripping mystery, remote Lindisfarne chills us to the bone and surrounds us with engaging misfits and malefactors. Linnet the scribe and her awkward young companion Isabelle are a delight and we follow them gladly into a vividly drawn world." - Glennis Virgo
"Consider the Ravens offers a superb trip back in time to 15th century Lindisfarne, which is evoked with a tremendous sense of place and engaging characters as woman scribe Linnet and priory orphan Isabelle, accompanied by her glorious raven, Pol, flit through the light and shadows of a windswept monastic world" - Shona MacLean
"A woman flees her chequered past, as well as the men who checkered it. She takes refuge as a scribe in a priory on an isolated island - and then the bodies start to fall! Cressida Downing's true achievement is in bringing to life daily existence in 15th century Lindisfarne Priory, keeping track of every detail while building the mystery and its solution. In Linnet, she has created a fascinating woman who is fighting to survive in a man's profession and who becomes a reluctant detective to do so." - Allison Montclair
"Cressida is a natural writer, with an incredible ability to weave a richly textured story." - LJ Ross
"In this gripping mystery, remote Lindisfarne chills us to the bone and surrounds us with engaging misfits and malefactors. Linnet the scribe and her awkward young companion Isabelle are a delight and we follow them gladly into a vividly drawn world." - Glennis Virgo
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