Description
Under tennis courts in the ruins of a great abbey, archaeologists find the remains of St Edmund, once venerated as England's patron saint, but lost for half a millennium. Culture Secretary Marina Spencer, adored by those who have never met her, scents an opportunity. She promotes Edmund as a new patron saint for the United Kingdom, playing up his Scottish, Welsh and Irish credentials. Unfortunately these are pure fiction, invented by Mark Price, her downtrodden aide, in a moment of panic. The only person who can see through the deception is Mark's cousin Hannah, a member of the dig team. Will she blow the whistle or help him out? And what of St Edmund himself, watching through the prism of a very different age? Splicing ancient and modern as he did in The Hopkins Conundrum and A Right Royal Face-Off, Simon Edge pokes fun at Westminster culture and celebrates the cult of a medieval saint in another beguiling and utterly original comedy.
'I loved this smart and divinely wry book, with its perfect marriage of archaeology, patron sainthood, and 10 Downing Street dirt. What a terrific eye and ear is at work here!' - Elinor Lipman; 'Anyone for Edmund? is gripping, funny and richly entertaining. This is not only a compelling read, but also a story grounded in real history and the genuine questions of national identity that are still thrown up by the legacies of medieval patron saints - and St Edmund in particular. While this book is fiction, at the heart of it is a truth every historian knows: the past is very much alive' - Dr Francis Young, author of Edmund: In Search of England's Lost King; 'Fantastically witty, and utterly unique. Who knew that a story about a misguided royal spirit, the shenanigans of modern day politicians, and group of overly enthusiastic amateur archaeologists, played out against the rich tapestry of medieval history, could be so entertaining? I laughed my head off. A perfect balm for our troubled times' - Maha Khan Phillips
About the Author
Simon Edge was born in Chester and read philosophy at Cambridge University. He was editor of the pioneering London paper Capital Gay before becoming a gossip columnist on the Evening Standard and then a feature writer on the Daily Express, where he was also a theatre critic for many years. The Hopkins Conundrum, published in 2017, was longlisted for the Waverton Good Read Award for debut novels. His follow-up novels The Hurtle of Hell and A Right Royal Face-Off were published in 2018 and 2019. He lives in Suffolk.
Reviews
'Guaranteed to have you laughing out loud' - The i Paper, 'Hilarious and painfully believable' - The Lady, 'A wildly inventive romp, rich in history and bunk' - Saga Magazine, 'A hugely enjoyable page-turner written with parodic panache' - Yorkshire Times, 'Brilliant - very funny' - Lesley Dolphin, BBC Radio Suffolk, 'This mix of satire, mystery and a few supernatural goings-on makes an entertaining and intriguing read' - Suffolk Magazine
Book Information
ISBN 9781785631917
Author Simon Edge
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Lightning Books
Publisher Eye Books
Weight(grams) 220g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 19mm
'I loved this smart and divinely wry book, with its perfect marriage of archaeology, patron sainthood, and 10 Downing Street dirt. What a terrific eye and ear is at work here!' - Elinor Lipman; 'Anyone for Edmund? is gripping, funny and richly entertaining. This is not only a compelling read, but also a story grounded in real history and the genuine questions of national identity that are still thrown up by the legacies of medieval patron saints - and St Edmund in particular. While this book is fiction, at the heart of it is a truth every historian knows: the past is very much alive' - Dr Francis Young, author of Edmund: In Search of England's Lost King; 'Fantastically witty, and utterly unique. Who knew that a story about a misguided royal spirit, the shenanigans of modern day politicians, and group of overly enthusiastic amateur archaeologists, played out against the rich tapestry of medieval history, could be so entertaining? I laughed my head off. A perfect balm for our troubled times' - Maha Khan Phillips
About the Author
Simon Edge was born in Chester and read philosophy at Cambridge University. He was editor of the pioneering London paper Capital Gay before becoming a gossip columnist on the Evening Standard and then a feature writer on the Daily Express, where he was also a theatre critic for many years. The Hopkins Conundrum, published in 2017, was longlisted for the Waverton Good Read Award for debut novels. His follow-up novels The Hurtle of Hell and A Right Royal Face-Off were published in 2018 and 2019. He lives in Suffolk.
Reviews
'Guaranteed to have you laughing out loud' - The i Paper, 'Hilarious and painfully believable' - The Lady, 'A wildly inventive romp, rich in history and bunk' - Saga Magazine, 'A hugely enjoyable page-turner written with parodic panache' - Yorkshire Times, 'Brilliant - very funny' - Lesley Dolphin, BBC Radio Suffolk, 'This mix of satire, mystery and a few supernatural goings-on makes an entertaining and intriguing read' - Suffolk Magazine
Book Information
ISBN 9781785631917
Author Simon Edge
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Lightning Books
Publisher Eye Books
Weight(grams) 220g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 19mm
