Robert Harris is the modern day Charles Dickens. He is outstanding and this story is so well crafted. I couldn’t put it down. I would highly recommend it to everyone.

Very clever, initially misleading as to date but ultimately terrifying

The year is 1486. Father Christopher Fairfax arrives in a remote village to conduct his predecessor's funeral. What is intended as a brief stay soon becomes an urgent investigation in to how and why the man died. Fairfax's quest takes him from foreboding Devon countryside to a dangerous Exeter, where it's impossible to know who can be trusted. In solving the mystery Fairfax is forced to question not only his faith, but everything he has been raised to believe. To reveal any more than this would spoil what is a gripping and thoughtful story. Its greatest strength lies in the looming sense of menace that follows Fairfax wherever he goes. This recalls Harris' first novel Fatherland. I thoroughly enjoyed The Second Sleep and felt it to be among his best.

This novel starts like a typical historical novel set in the 16th or 17th century. The established church is the greatest power in the land, the country is largely agrarian and social mobility is limited. At its heart this is a whodunit narrated by a young ambitious priest, Christopher Fairfax who stumbles upon a mystery from the past when he arrives in a remote village to conduct the funeral of the local parish priest. The story line is typical Harris – strong characters, convincing attention to detail and lots of plot twists. I particularly liked the way the beliefs that Christopher Fairfax held dear are challenged as the truth of the circumstances surrounding the parish priest’s death unfold. And I loved the really clever twist at the heart of the novel; I won’t spoil that surprise, you will have to read it yourself to find out ! Rober Harris fans wont be disappointed with this new thriller.

I was most overjoyed when I received a preview copy of this as I am a big fan of Robert Harris and wasn't disappointed. The Second Sleep is a more conventional thriller when compared to Munich or An Officer and a Spy but if you enjoyed Conclave I'm sure you will like this. There is not much I can really say without giving away too many spoilers but the world of mud, darkness and basic living that Harris has created is fantastic and the plot is most definitely a page turner. Another great book to add to his canon.