The Woodcock
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It's 1920s England, and the coastal town of Gravely is finally enjoying a fragile peace after World War I. John Lowell, a naturalist who writes articles on the flora and fauna of the shoreline, and his wife Harriet, lead a simple life, basking in their love for each other and enjoying the company of John's visiting old school friend, David. But when an American whaler arrives in town with his beautiful red-haired daughters, boasting of his plans to build a pier and pleasure-grounds a mile out to sea, unexpected tensions and temptations arise.
As secrets multiply, Harriet, John, and David must each ask themselves: what price is to be paid for pleasure?
Richard Smyth
Richard Smyth is a Yorkshire-based author and freelance writer. He has written several nonfiction books and written features, reviews, and comment pieces for publications including The Guardian, Times LiterarySupplement, New Statesman, and BirdWatching. He is also a compiler of crosswords for New Scientist, History Today, BBC Wildlife, History Revealed, and a question setter for BBC Mastermind.
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