The war may be over, but the nightmare is just beginning…

Released from prison after years of solitary confinement for refusing to fight in the Great War, Robert Latimer arrives in an isolated village looking for his brother.

Thomas was wounded in France and sent to Ravensmere House for treatment. But the sprawling estate has a sinister reputation, housing the most disturbed soldiers returning from war. While searching, Robert sees a mysterious woman dressed in white wandering through the woods at twilight.

Bookstagram Tour: 30th October – 3rd November
Genre: Historical thriller | Gothic | Supernatural
Publisher: Bloodhound Books

Denied access to his brother by the charismatic Dr Abbott, Robert becomes convinced that something is terribly wrong behind Ravensmere’s walls. With the help of outspoken local woman Edith Chalk, he uncovers strange medicines, disturbing experiments and long-forgotten legends.

But as Robert digs deeper and risks his life to uncover the truth, he realises there are darker forces at play. And someone will do anything to keep Ravensmere’s secrets hidden.

Because some evils refuse to stay buried…

My Review

Fascinating read and an eye opener when it comes to the treatment of conscientious objectors during the first world war. I wonder how many young men and their families would have been so damning if they knew what awaited them. Around 20 million people and 8 million horses, donkeys and mules died as a result of the war. And all to support the ridiculous conceit and nationalism of three old men in Europe (including our own King George V). OK Tsar Nicholas of Russia wasn’t that old. Nothing changes really, does it.

The year is 1918, and having been released from prison after four years for refusing to fight, Cambridge lecturer Robert Latimer is searching for his brother Thomas. Thomas was wounded in France and sent to the remote, sinister Ravensmere House for treatment. But Ravensmere House is not what it seems. Only the worst cases of shell shock have been sent there, to be helped by the reclusive Dr Abbott. Security is tight and no-one gets past the dreadful Mason. But who is the beautiful, young woman who Robert encounters in the grounds one night?

The Patient in the Tower is a very entertaining read, very Gothic, and filled with well-researched details about the war and what the soldiers went through. Appalling injuries and the effects of mustard gas. In 2014 I was in a play ‘celebrating’ 100 years since the start of the Great War. In one scene we were all blinded by gas and had to walk on stage holding on to the person in front. It was terrifying to be so reliant on others. We also did a scene where a young man is shot and hangs from barbed wire. We had to cry when his mother spoke her lines. And we did cry. We weren’t acting.

There is a supernatural element to the story, more of which becomes apparent later on. It did go a bit The Devil Rides Out at the end and a couple of the characters were truly bonkers. But I did particularly love Edith and Hector and Muffin the pony. And Robert of course.

Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of #ThePatientInTheTower #booktour.

About the Author

G. R. Pidgeon lives with his wife and three children in Oxted on the Surrey Hills, overlooking the ancient Weald and Ashdown Forest. It is a landscape rich with ivy-strewn manor houses, timeless woodlands and Tudor castles. At weekends he can be found exploring the forgotten corners of ancient parish churches, reading the faded inscriptions on the backs of toppled gravestones, or ascending winding staircases in search of secret passages.

G. R. Pidgeon has taught for over twenty years as Head of English at leading state and independent schools in Kent, aiming to inspire the next generation of readers and writers. He is an English CPD Subject Leader for the charity PTI Education, developing the subject knowledge of new teachers, and specialising in Victorian and Gothic Literature, as well as the Romantic Poets.

Gaining an MA at the University of Sussex and a PGCE at the University of Bath, he also studied literature at the University of California, San Diego, finding time to drive a vintage 1974 Cadillac Coupe de Ville up and down the Pacific coast, hike in Yosemite National Park, and work as a runner on a TV show for the Discovery Channel.

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