There had once been hundreds of holy wells dotting the countryside where pagans sought cures and blessings. Most sites were sainted by the early Church then destroyed by less tolerate Christians. Eventually, the holy wells were simply lost to neglect, forgotten by the shifting generations. She tended this sacred spot in exchange for a bit of coin. The well was near Hadrian’s Wall, drawing in a parade of curious travelers who followed her handmade signs to the site. Older residents seeking grace would tie a wishful cloutie to the tree outside the structure and wander home. Tourists, though, would drop coins into the shallow well to beg their favors, because tourists believed that everything has a price tag.

-- Excerpt from The Sheltering Stones

Remy closed her eyes to recall the scene of the crime. “The cave’s entryway is narrow with little light seeping inside. Pitch black everywhere. A few steps in, there’s a partial tree with jutting branches tangled in a heap of seaweed. It probably prevented the body from sweeping out of the cave each time the tide rolled in and out. There's debris all along the floor. My sight line was limited, but I didn’t see any tools, weapons, or even a life jacket.” She glanced at the Inspector in despair and whispered, “Something had been eating her eyes.”

-- Excerpt from The Tide Turns

This was an island nation cross-hatched by rivers, canals, lakes, and estuaries. Lives were often endangered or lost by those who underestimated the sea. The Inspector glanced toward shore to see if the coroner’s van had arrived. He wasn’t surprised to find residents hovering beside the parked police van where men pulled out a stretcher to transport the victim. The Royal Nationals rescued people every day. By now, everyone should be used to the sight of their lifeboats coming to shore. Yet no one could adjust to the fearful doubt that filled their hearts and minds whenever a lifeboat appeared. They wondered if it was a spouse, a child, or a neighbor, not knowing if they survived or if they were far away beyond the caress of the endless surf.

-- Excerpt from The Tide Turns