The Ogre's Laboratory — Louis Buss

When the previous incumbent in the parish of Wodden commits suicide in mysterious circumstances, Julian Snow, a gifted young Catholic priest, is sent to take his place.

Wodden is the home of a number of prominent Catholics, including a powerful Tory politician and the Trevellyans, an old Catholic family whose ancestral seat, Flamstead House, dominates the village. The ancient legend of Everard Trevellyan, the third Earl of Wodden, still haunts the village: monstrous in size, dissipated in morals, Everard is said to have preyed on the local children.

As Father Snow's duties see him regularly visiting Flamstead House for Mass, a growing suspicion that something very sinister indeed is going on, and that the Trevellyan legend might be as alive as ever, begins to consume him just as he finds he has fallen in love.

A compelling and atmospheric modern Gothic novel, and a moving exploration of a priest's crisis of faith, THE OGRE'S LABORATORY is an immensely impressive achievement.