Pandora Inn
(The novel )
by Lliam West (£8.99)

1942... and, after more than two years of gallant war time service, there is no longer a place for radio operator Rory Duggan in the Merchant Marine. Facts have emerged about an incident off Bilbao during the Spanish Civil War, and where once he drew respect the man now attracts suspicion and mistrust.

He settles in Falmouth and rumour follows, but he is diligent, not least in his assistance to the American invasion forces. They leave him well placed to live down his past and he seems to be succeeding when, late in 1950, he meets with an untimely death.

`Accidental' concludes the inquest, but an old friend has misgivings. Jack Butters suspects foul play, and possible dangers for others as well as himself.

1985... and languishing in an Exeter prison cell is a disgraced Truro solicitor. It's Spring, and a weary old cruise ship worn out from shuttling troops between Ascension and The Falklands is brought up into a lay up berth above the King Harry Ferry.

A young cyclist, late for a last ferry takes a tumble. He wakes in Truro's City Hospital.

Jack Butters, old now, and blind, is listening. He has waited long enough ......

Now he can act...

….. is the all Cornish publishing phenomenon. Having languished long in an all too easily caricatured time warp Cornish historical fiction is at last moved forward. Born, educated, and living still in Liskeard, the author employs native guile to weave traditional elements (the skulduggery, the intrigue, romance and scenery) into a vivid, fresh, and thought provoking tale.

With close and clever research he conjures a cunning plot that twists and turns no less thrillingly than does the desperate climactic chase through the high-hedged lanes of south Cornwall.

Though set in relatively recent times Pandora Inn (the novel) can still best be categorised as 'historical fiction'. OK, no frock coats, and no ripped bodice, but plenty enough of the traditional Cornish elements remain….. the smuggling of illicit cargoes, suspicious deaths, home government intrigue, foreign power subversion, and (of course) scenically set romance.

'Who really done it?', and 'Why?' The questions common to most mysteries are asked, but, fascinatingly, with the answers there comes an unusual and compelling invitation to explore two contrasting (yet equally prominent) real life mid-20th century careers….. that of an oily lawyer/politician who rose to high Cabinet rank, and that of a maverick entrepreneur whose gathered renown as a popular author stands undiminished, even to this day.

Come to Pandora Inn…..         
                    Dare to open the door!