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The Ryeport Redemption is a re-publication of our Dad's original novel The Fo'c'sle Door which was published in 2013.
It is an adventure spanning generations and involving murder, smuggling, the supernatural and a wealth of interesting characters. While we were happy to help get it into print for Dad we lacked the expertise to properly promote it and a truly good story unfortunately died on the vine. The professional reviews were all great and Dad received great praise and thank you cards from those who had read it but we believe it to be a really good book that to date has been overlooked and so with the help of a new publishing company we are working on getting it the recognition it deserves.
A big part of the decision making was to make the newly titled book a trilogy. We did this in large part to address concerns of those we knew, who told us they were a little intimidated by it's size and either took years deciding to start it or never started it at all. As a trilogy there is a brief section prior to Chapter 1 in both books 2 and 3 that we wrote to help keep the connection from one book to the next, however, it is important to us that the story remain our Dad's story and aside from grammatical corrections and some removal of duplication, no major changes have been made.
We are so happy that our Dad was able to have his book published before he passed in March of 2016 and while we wish he were here to see it's success with us, it is our intention with the re-publication and the help of experts, for a wonderful story to finally get the recognition it deserves and we can finish this important part of Dad's legacy.
“Whitt ducked under the lintel and stepped down onto a brick floor. The floor was a good six inches lower than the door’s threshold - but he had known it would be so - and that realisation stopped him dead in his tracks, just as the sense of déjà vu struck. He had ducked under the lintel, and his step down had been fluid, almost practised. He recalled a warning: ‘Watch your step. The floor is a goodly step down inside.’ Or did he imagine that?“
The first in the Ryeport Redemption trilogy, The Vicar’s Journal begins with an unusual murder scene in present day Canada but quickly transports the reader to a small fishing village on the coast of eighteenth-century England. Here, the tale unfolds around the vicar, Roddy McDowd, who has been unwillingly relegated to what he considers a “God-forsaken place.” Unexpectedly, he becomes entwined in the lives of the local villagers and fishermen who regularly faced a loss of life on the dangerous coast. In an effort to support their families, they have now become involved in the dangerous world of smuggling. Here, the unravelling of the mystery begins with the reluctant vicar finding in himself a previously unknown courage and understanding.This is a compelling tale that transports the reader over hundreds of years, with interesting vibrant characters, who through adventure with smuggling, murder and the supernatural, play a part in one man’s attempt to fix a deal made with the devil. The outcome will keep you guessing until the last page.
“Roddy dove under the water as bullets splashed around him and wondered how things could have gone so terribly wrong. The ‘Viking funeral had not gone as planned. Despite all of Roddy and Sailmaker’s efforts to warn off the villagers about the ambush, a small piece of wood had tumbled from the pile, dislodging the long fuse. It was now wet, and the only choice was for Roddy to remain behind to finish the job. He would no longer have the time afforded by the fuse to distance himself from the boat quickly enough.
He was numb and feeling the desperation as he realized he could not escape. As strong a swimmer as he was, he could now barely feel his arms and legs, his lungs were burning, and musket balls were splashing dangerously all around him. Then, just as he felt he could move no more and was preparing to give up, he saw movement at the bottom of the cliff.”
In this second book of The Ryeport Redemption trilogy, the villager’s dealings with the smuggling ring take a disastrous turn, and an unexpected death forces them to go to great lengths to cover up murder and avoid the gallows. After struggling to overcome many dangers, and with the formation of lifelong bonds and friendships, The Curse of The Seahorse ends with a shocking turn of events that will affect all of those connected to its fate.
"Now under cover In the bottom of the jolly boat Sailmaker was unable to move or call out as the sailors hurried to get him aboard the ship unnoticed. Slowly as he began to regain consciousness, he recognized what had happened. He had been shanghaied! He struggled to call out for help, hoping to be heard by his friends onshore but his voice was just a whisper and the ship had already moved past The Dragon’s Tail.
He was now beyond help and at the mercy of the violent Captain Currie. He was also destined for a new and unexpected friendship, but one with unforeseen and terrifying power which was to change the lives of everyone he knew and loved."
In The Death of the Sexton you finally get to answer the mystery started in chapter one, but it will keep you guessing until the end.
In 1949 I first had the privilege of meeting Les Cribb during National Service with the Royal Navy on a training ship in Devonport, England. We were engaged on daily trips on a minelayer, laying cable and controlled mines for Harbour Defence. It was a very hard and dirty job but as fit young lads of nineteen we now had to consider ourselves men. It was over a mug of hot tea on the messdeck of the training ship that I had my first conversation with Les.
We found that our hometowns in London were quite close to each other and we had a lot of similar interests. He was a very cheery chap and had a wry sense of humour which always had me smiling. He was an able jazz guitarist and had been in a semi-professional dance band before being conscripted. The other members of the band were also engaged on National Service and planned to re-form the band when they returned to civilian life.
In 1952 when we had all returned from the services, the band members began to rehearse. There was a pianist, tenor sax player, guitarist and drummer but (they) realized that to have a credible group they required a bass player. By now we were all good friends and although I was a very amateur dabbler in accordion, clarinet and guitar I had no knowledge of double bass. I very rashly volunteered to purchase an instrument and take lessons. To their credit no one raised an eyebrow at the ambitious suggestion. After taking lessons for a year I was finally at a stage to join the band. We had a very successful five years together.
Les was a perfectionist, whatever he embarked on it had to be right, otherwise it had to be re-done. During his life he acquired many skills so it was no surprise to me that he had emerged as a skilled author. His diligence, historical research and knowledge of seafaring really pays off in this exciting and imaginative novel . To miss reading this book is missing a journey of a lifetime. I for one could not put it down. The first printing of this novel was published under the original title of 'The Fo'c'sle Door' which to anyone with knowledge of ships is quite credible, but to landlubbers it is not clear. Les' family are now relaunching the book under this new title and format.
Les passed away in 2016, he is sadly missed. We and our wives were firm friends for over seventy years. A lasting memorial to a lovely man.
Goodby dear friend.
Harry W. Randall.
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