Beyond the Yew Tree - Rachel Walkley

Beyond the yew tree, the truth lies forgotten.

An uplifting story of the unbreakable bond between a blind girl and her executed mother. Their story is relived by a juror who is haunted by child-like whispers in an old courtroom. She must unravel an historical mystery before the trial ends.

In an old courtroom, a hissing voice distracts reluctant juror, Laura, and at night recurring nightmares transport her to a Victorian gaol and the company of a wretched woman. Although burdened by her own secret guilt, and struggling to form meaningful relationships, Laura isn’t one to give up easily when faced with an extraordinary situation.

The child-like whispers lead Laura to an old prison graveyard, where she teams up with enthusiastic museum curator, Sean. He believes a missing manuscript is the key to understanding her haunting dreams. But nobody knows if it actually exists.

Laura is confronted with the fate of two people – the man in the dock accused of defrauding a charity for the blind, and the restless spirit of a woman hanged over a century ago for murder. If Sean is the companion she needs in her life, will he believe her when she realises that the two mysteries are converging around a long-forgotten child who only Laura can hear?

Beyond the Yew Tree is mostly set in city centre of contemporary Lincoln amongst the medieval castle and cathedral, and the later courthouse.

The story tells of the recovery of a lost item, the memoirs of a blind girl whose mother was hanged for murder in 1870s. The child attracts the attention of Laura because of a mutual sense of guilt. The ghost is never seen, only heard, and its memories are projected into Laura's dreams, bringing Laura both a sense of dread and renewed purpose.

Laura's own guilty secret is laid bare as she struggles through the trial of a man accused of defrauding a charity for the blind. The guilty seek redemption in both past and present, but what of the embezzler who must atone for his greed?

Throughout the book, Laura is also realising that her absent boyfriend is probably not returning to her, forcing her to re-evaluate her shy nature. Fortunately, Laura's personal journey brings her new companionship as she befriends a helpful museum curator, Sean, who himself seeks love.

Beyond the Yew Tree is a recommended read for lovers of gentle romance, suspenseful ghost stories and uplifting mysteries, and those who enjoy strong female characters and an evocative historical setting.

Rachel Walkley is an author of magical realism, time travel romance and contemporary women's fiction. Her first book, The Women of Heachley Hall, remained on the Amazon UK bestseller list for family saga for over a year.