Lies of the Flesh
Lies of the Flesh is set during the 14th-century border wars between England and Scotland. Fran Hilton has become lord of the manor following his father’s death and is trying to get to grips with his new responsibilities. And the local community is struggling with the loss or injury of many of the men who fought at the recent Battle of Bannockburn. Matters are not improved by the terrifying appearance of a revenant, or undead spirit, who is roaming the hills and intent on revenge.
The activities of the revenant prompt revelations about some of the dark deeds of the battle, but Fran is convinced that things are not as they seem. Together with a small group of loyal servants, he tries to confront the troubled spirit and to uncover the truth. But at the same time, he is harbouring a secret of his own which could have terrible consequences if disclosed.
Lies of the Flesh has a number of compelling themes, including the quest for the truth, the constraints of gender roles, and the treatment of medieval women. It is meticulously researched and gives a good insight into the realities of life in a northern English village at the time. Unfortunately, there were no real surprises in the story, and I never felt fully engaged with the characters or their situation. However, this book will appeal to anyone with an interest in this period of history.
