by Anna North
First published 2025
Agnes arrives at a bog in northwest England to examine what appears to be an ancient corpse. The American forensic anthropologist expects routine work, but the body defies explanation. Despite being buried over two thousand years ago, the remains show remarkable preservation. Agnes finds herself pulled into the mystery of this Iron Age woman's death, sensing unexpected connections between their lives. Peat-cutters circle the site hoping for profit while activists demand the land remain untouched. The bog itself holds layers of artifacts and remains, each with stories reaching back through time. Agnes must navigate these competing interests while questioning her own abilities and assumptions about her work. The investigation forces her to confront what she believes about independence and belonging. The narrative moves between modern post-Brexit England and ancient Celtic Europe as Roman forces approach. Two women separated by millennia face similar challenges as they discover their unusual capabilities within landscapes that shape and constrain them.
Genres: historical-fiction, mystery, archaeology, thriller, academic
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, mystery
Setting: England, Northwest England
Period: Ancient, Iron Age, Modern
268 pages · Hardcover · Bloomsbury Publishing