Pagans is the exciting new debut novel by James Alistair Henry, the writer behind smash hit comedies including Green Wing, Smack the Pony and Sean the Sheep, to name but a few. James Alistair Henry has conceived an original story idea, brilliantly executed, incorporating the everyday things and technology we love with ancient British Tribal traditions and Pagan belief system.

Pagans is set in an alternative contemporary Britain. Just imagine if the Norman Conquest, The Industrial Revolution and Christianity never happened. The tribes of Britian are still divided but all are ruled by the High King. Hundreds of Gods are still worshipped, and most people keep to the old ways. But political tensions are on the rise, social media is alive with conspiracy theories and in The Skeid conference centre the annual Unification Summit for a United Kingdom is definitely not popular. Uniting all three states, Celtic West, Saxon East and Independent Nordic Scotland is on the agenda but not all are in favour. Underlying prejudices, beliefs and dissatisfaction with the ruling class (and each other) threaten to undermine the Unification Summit. And when a prominent Celtic delegate is found brutally murdered in Epping Forest, Saxon Detective-Captain Aedith Mercia, and Detective Inspector Drustan from the Celtic West must put aside their inherent prejudices and ideals to work together to track down the killer. As the investigation gathers momentum and another victim is discovered, it`s apparent that a serial killer is on the loose.

Amid conflict at home and the complications of their own lives, Di Drustan and Chief Inspector Aedith pursue ‘The Hook’ before they strike again but this killer is proving elusive. With the atmosphere at boiling point, cultural beliefs, inherent feelings, political ties and murky pasts thrown into the investigation, who can they trust and do they actually trust each other? Time and events will tell, as DI Drustan and Captain Aedith uncover a trail that leads to unexpected results and shocking secrets.

Pagans is a visceral, twisty and tension filled read. This London police procedural combined with pre-Christian Britain`s traditions, long forgotten rituals and rites, alternative police force, fantastic weapons and both modern and alternate methods of investigation makes Pagans fascinating reading. The world building here is sublime, the past and present cleverly woven. James Alistair Henry uses luscious detail and historical information to great effect, never taking the reader out of the story. The flow of language reads effortlessly, and the combination of short and long chapters paces the story brilliantly and allows the sense of tension and menace to ebb and flow. The right balance of humour is present too with laugh out loud moments throughout. The story is told from both Aedith and Dustan’s point of view. The snappy, realistic dialogue makes for authentic voices and compelling narrators. Pagans is filled with vibrant characters, with quirks and personalities so memorable that they jump off the page. It takes real skill as a writer to create characters that the reader can totally invest in. James Alistair Henry has succeeded here in spades.

In the many novels out there at the moment, if you want to read something a little different then Pagans by James Alistair Henry is the one for you. Personally, I can’t wait to read what comes next from James. I thoroughly enjoyed this unique, fresh, thrilling read; I finished it in three days. I`m praying to the Gods that there will be more from Captain Aedith and DI Drustan very soon and going by the twist at the end of Pagans, I’m pretty sure, I’ll get my wish.