St Edward's Rhubarb Issue 5

12 ST EDWARD’S r h u b a r b

Books

F E A T U R E S

The Drowning Ground by James Marrison (B, 1986-1991) When two young girls vanish in broad daylight in the Cotswolds, Argentine DCI Guillermo Downes pledges that he will find them no matter what it takes. Years later when a suspect in the case is found brutally murdered and the remains of a body are discovered beneath his house Downes believes that the mystery surrounding their fate may finally have been resolved. The Drowning Ground is the first in a series of detective novels set in the Cotswolds, and the second novel will be published this year. The Richmond Times-Dispatch said: ‘With an intricate plot with numerous twists and an intriguing cop with a complex history, Marrison rivets the reader straight through to the novel’s chilling conclusion. An author to watch, he scores high with this impressive debut’.

Tyler’s Dream by Matthew Butler (G, 2001-2003)

Kenneth Grahame look out! We may soon be decorating our dining hall with more than The Wind in the Willows imagery. This illustrated fantasy adventure tale sees a boy who tries to outrun a nightmare. Tyler must navigate a series of twisted dreams as he runs from a great evil across a breath- taking landscape. Matthew said: “It took me 16 years to finish this book. In fact I first started to write and illustrate in earnest when I was a student at St Edward’s, and remember being hit with a particularly good idea about the plot whilst sitting in Sunday chapel. So either divine revelation, or a wandering mind!” Kirkus Review said: ‘A brisk, appealing story teeming with action and suspense. The narrative momentum is impressive and striking. A thoroughly animated fantasy, and a commendable series introduction.’ The book is available to order on Amazon, and Matthew would like to thank anyone in advance who buys and reviews a copy.

Members of a Very Noble Friendship by School Archivist Christopher Nathan (G, 1954-1957) On 4th August 1914 when the Great War broke out, the School had just gone on holiday with a 40 strong O.T.C. force attending their annual camp at Tidworth. The announcement that hostilities were about to begin spread like wildfire and for the next four and a half years, life would never be the same again. 673 members of the School’s community went into uniform over these years when 121 OSE and three teachers were lost and many more wounded - some many times over. This book describes what occurred in those tumultuous days, both at the various battle stations all over the world and also back in Oxford. Warden Ferguson had enormous challenges to face at the School with the constant

exodus of key people as well as having to read the lists of those lost in Chapel, often with siblings in the congregation. Archival records from the School’s excellent collections have been extensively used and also other relevant family, OSE, peer schools, regimental, naval and air force records to which the author was given open access. The book is available to purchase and orders can be made through the OSE Office. The book is priced at £15 + £4.95 for postage and packing within the UK. If you would like a price for international postage, or to arrange collection from the School, please contact the OSE Office on ose@stedwardsoxford.org or 01865 319362.