Barry Unsworth

The Reckoning

In 14th Century England, this tale of murder and mystery follows a fugitive priest who falls in with a troupe of actors. As they arrive in a small town, the actors encounter a woman being sentenced to death for practicing witchcraft and murder. Discarding the expected bible stories, the actors now stage a performance based on the crime. Through the performance of the play, they discover a mystery.

Pascali's Island

1908: Pascali, a spy for the Sultan, sends reports to Istanbul that nobody reads. His suspicions are roused when a British archaeologist appears, who may not be quite what he seems.

The Stick Insect

A married couple go to stay at a remote cottage. Once there, they discover there is no running water for tea. Then, a stranger appears, accompanied by his stick insect.