Set in West Cornwall, the latest book by Patrick Gale starts with a very current dilemma – whether it is right to stay with someone as they take their own life, and do nothing to prevent it.

Barnaby Johnson, parish priest, is a good man, but flawed. This is his story – the story of his faith, his family, his parishioners, his regrets and grief, all set within the stifling atmosphere of a small, not very picturesque village and its churches.

As with previous books, Patrick Gale writes of sadness and evil as well as joy and love, of the checks and balances in life and how we are shaped and, sometimes, held prisoner by our past.

Verdict: In my view this is Patrick Gale’s best ever book – a real page-turner. As always, beautifully written, moving and thought provoking, what lifts it up above his others is the sympathy and lack of judgement with which he treats such an emotive issue. *****