Annette Shaw is a freelance journalist with 30 years of experience, and has a regular column in Devon Life, sharing her pick of brilliant books with Devon connections. With her reputation for championing books and authors around the county, we’re delighted to have the opportunity to showcase her reviews here.

The Drowning Hour by S.K. Tremayne
This man, who hails from Devon, writes brilliant books. The kind where you ring a friend for a reality check because it haunts, mystifies and spooks, making it a perfect choice for Halloween. In a twisty plot he leads the reader up the river, down the river, with clues that only make sense at the reveal. What sets SKT apart is his language – poetic yet chilling, hitting you like a well-aimed dart. “Grief is the trace fossil of love…The ephemeral thing is gone; what is left is harder, colder, enduring.” Also, his grip on psychological conditions is fearsomely accurate. Breathing in a panic attack, searching for air, “Gulping it down like chicken with soup for the paranoid.” Join wealthy guests at the Stanhope Hotel on remote Dawzy Island, but beware of The Drowning Hour when the tide and estuary join forces. And now Hannah, tormented by a terror of water, can’t leave.

Magical Britain: 650 Enchanted And Mystical Sites by Rob Wildwood
“Explore Britain’s mysterious otherworld of spirits, fairies, giants, and dragons and reconnect with folklore, myth and paganism in 650 sites.” As an atlas of enchanted and sacred spaces, this one certainly does what it says on the tin! So, continuing our October theme of Halloween, there’s no shortage UK-wide locations and pages of ideas in Devon, backed up with evocative photographs and helpful notes for visitors. The White Lady Falls at Lydford Gorge (the highest waterfall in the county) are flanked by mossy green walls and it is a place of dramatic beauty. Dartmoor, with all its vastness as well as nooks and crannies, is the key place to go, but the list also includes The Pixie’s Parlour at Ottery St Mary and Hartland Point, known to the Romans as the promontory of Hercules. “…an old legend tells how the demi-god sailed to Devon in a golden bowl…”

A Devon Night’s Death by Stephanie Austin
Ashburton seems such a gentle town on the edge of the moor. Yet, death is in the air. Murder or an accident? Enter amateur sleuth and antique shop owner Juno Browne. She’s relieved to ease cash flow problems when one Frank Tinkler, a bookbinder, asks to rent a room in her premises. Then, Juno disturbs intruders and soon afterwards one of them falls to his death. “Suicide. He jumped off Tavistock Viaduct, the police are appealing for witnesses.” Juno isn’t so sure, given that she is aware of drug dealing in the area. An engrossing read that combines crime with the cosiness of rural life – not immune from darker sides. This is Stephanie’s fifth novel set in Devon, having enjoyed a varied career as an artist, trader in antiques/crafts, as well as working for Devon Schools Library Service. She’s based on the English Riviera and is involved in local theatre.

The Diary Of A Teenage Dirtbag 1999 – 2003 by Claire Le Day
World Mental Health Day falls on 10 October. More than ever, after the pandemic, young people deserve help and understanding when problems first surface. Every generation faces different challenges and Claire’s book highlights this in technicolour. My limited experience, based on a 1970s grammar school for girls, left me baffled in terms of language and other aspects. Hence this book was a veritable and valuable insight! Claire (now a GP in East Devon) gives an exposing account of the emotional extremes of growing up in Edinburgh during the late 90’s and early 00’s. She captures the turmoil of adolescence in all its excruciating glory. It’s a real coming of age story with all the ingredients of youth: hopeful naivety, hedonism, endless boys, soul crushing heartache and the never-ending search for that elusive best friend.

Active Hope by Chris Johnstone and Joanna Macy
There have been moments recently when I’ve wondered if the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse had a recruitment drive. Life’s tough for many of us right now, and as to where we’re heading … So, what’s to be done? Start by searching for beacons of hope, taking control of what you can, reach out to others, develop a gratitude strategy – all of which is covered in the book. After working for many years as a doctor and addictions specialist in the UK health service, Chris now focuses on coaching, mentoring, writing and training. He is a regular speaker at Schumacher College, Totnes and Crediton. Co-authored with Joanna Macy, this book offers practical support. They write, “… our times confront us with realties that are painful to face, difficult to take in, and confusing to live with…” This is a highly recommended, positive and accessible guide to reaching better times.

What Remains? Life, Death And The Human Art Of Undertaking by Rupert Callender
Rupert Callender is an undertaker in Dartington. The business was founded in 1999, and with Claire Callender Phillips, the pair created a genuinely unique, immersive way of working that combines the practical side with the ceremonial care of a good priest. This is his story. It’s an unusual book. Take a deep breath and read it. I’m glad I did. Sad, reassuring, realistic and full of compassion and humanity. Death. It’s going to happen to all of us. And for those who remain, the grieving process can have long fingers. At one point Rupert writes, “You get one shot at a funeral, one chance to tell the story of a life in a way that is truthful and honouring at the same time. That puts to rest any lingering ghosts and allows our grief to unfold in a way which is deeply painful, but not crippled and bonsaied by the shape of things unsaid.”