Land of Oak & Iron are excited to host the next of our regular ‘Meet the Maker‘ events at the Heritage Centre in Winlaton Mill. Our next Meet the Maker is with local author Peter Jackson.
Peter Jackson, a former journalist from County Durham, is a writer whose first novel Legions of the Moon has recently been published by indy publishing house WriteSideLeft.
Legions of the Moon is a historical thriller set in the North East 1,800 years ago when Britain was a province of the Roman Empire. The Journal’s review said: “…well crafted tale pulsates with violence, intrigue and romance to say nothing of complex plot twists…add to this intelligent mix a sprinkling of dry humour and you have the perfect recipe for a good read.” And the Northern Echo wrote: “A gripping novel…page turner…convincing and colourful picture of Roman Britain. Legions of the Moon is as plausible as it is exciting.”
It has also received rave reviews on Amazon and has recently been nominated for the prestigious annual Crime Writers’ Association Sapere Book Historical Dagger award.
Legions of the Moon tells the story of Quintus Suetonius and his stepson Manius, who are frumenatarii, the Roman Empire’s secret police, sent to Britain on a mission whose real purpose is kept hidden.
As reluctant players in a struggle between a ruthless imperial government and others seeking control of the Empire, they travel from civilised Roman London to the wild North. Here, with female spy Tita Amatia, they are caught up in rebellion and murder and are isolated, in snowbound, hostile country, in the fort of Longovicium (as Lanchester, County Durham, was called). Their survival becomes bound up with that of the Roman Empire.
The action largely occurs in and around Lanchester, but also takes in Vinovia, now Binchester, near Bishop Auckland, and Vindomora, now Ebchester.
Please drop by to say hello to Peter in person on Saturday 7th August when you can purchase Legions of the Moon, chat to Peter about his book and have your copy signed.
Legions of the Moon will also be available to purchase from the Heritage Centre shop (accessed via café shrub) in the 2 weeks running up to Peter’s Meet the Maker event.
‘Meet the Maker’ will be outside under cover of the gazebo, social distancing will be in place for both the artist/makers and our visitors. We have enhanced cleaning regimes in place, sanitiser and hand gel is available at both entrances to the Heritage Centre and we politely request that face coverings are still worn when entering the building to use toilets, shop area and café shrub, this helps keep our staff, other visitors and their families safe.
