The Sky Pilot’s Wife

Book excerpt: The Sky Pilot’s Wife is a historical romance and ‘slice of life’ novel set in the late Victorian period (1899-1902) in a quaint village on the Yorkshire Moors of England. An intriguing romance arises between two of the most unlikely characters and it is heightened by the ‘secret language of flowers.’ The green-eyed monster, jealousy, causes an inevitable conflict and the rising tension creates a catastrophe which triggers a totally unexpected train of events. Later, during a storm, the vicar’s wife, Louisa flees the vicarage to seek shelter within the confines of the church. But providence intervenes and gossip in the village becomes rife, much to Louisa’s consternation. A fire later breaks out in the belltower of the church and the local constabulary is brought in to help solve the unfolding mystery. But who is it that wants Louisa dead? What is the purpose of this heinous crime? And who should pay?