Cornish farmer Joseph Moyle’s loyalty to the crown goes well rewarded—his stepson Ralf is appointed page to the future King Charles II. When Ralf takes up his post, Britain is in the midst of its most tumultuous period ever—the war between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians and the dawning of a new era. Ralf’s duties oblige him to follow the heir to the throne through the western countries, where he encounters not only court intrigue and the constant threat of Cromwell’s armies, but also romance. As Charles begins the first of many affairs, Ralf also falls in love. But this first love is a dangerous one. Brighid is an Irish Catholic—and complicit in an attempt to kidnap Charles.
E.V. Thompson has enjoyed an eventful and varied lifestyle, in many parts of the world.
It began as a small child when the family's London home was destroyed by Luftwaffe bombs and he was taken to Oxfordshire where he was later educated at Burford Grammar School.
Joining the Royal Navy at the age of 15, he visited many countries during his ten years service, during which he was caught up in the Korean War and developed a love of travelling which has never left him. Upon leaving the navy he began writing short stories whilst involved in many occupations which included Vice Squad Policeman and Airline Detective; secondment to the Hong Kong Police Narcotics Bureau; heading the Department of Civil Aviation Security in what was then Rhodesia; Chief of Security at London's prestigious Mayfair Hotel - and sweeping floors in one of Cornwall's China Clay Works, whilst pursuing a writing career.
Eventually, when working as a Civil Servant in Devonport naval dockyard and with more than 200 short stories published around the world, his first novel, CHASE THE WIND, a novel about the 19th century copper miners of Cornwall's Bodmin Moor and the first of what would be the Retallick series of novels, won an award as "The Best Historical Novel of the Year". This was to set him firmly on the path to full-time authorship, a career which has to date seen almost 40 novels published in his name, many of them international best-sellers, their settings ranging from Cornwall where he has his home, to Europe, Africa, the Far East and America, where he is a frequent visitor.
There are also non-fiction books published by West Country publishers and E.V. has written and presented a number of programme series for BBC Radio Cornwall as well as giving talks in many countries around the world.
His latest novel, CHURCHYARD AND HAWKE, published at the end of 2009 by Robert Hale, marks the return of Amos Hawke, a mid-19th century Cornish detective who first appeared in THOUGH THE HEAVENS MAY FALL. Hawke, with the help of a companion, Tom Churchyard, a new recruit from the London Police, foils a bold foray into the county by a gang of London criminals and solves a baffling series of murders centred around one of Cornwall's great houses.
A new novel, BEYOND THE STORM, set on Cornwall's rugged North Coast, is to be published by Robert Hale in November, 2010.
