Tir nam Ban

The mysterious silvered words of prophecy on a tapestry of Irish linen just seem part of the Hebridean island charm of Tìr nam Bàn, where Bruno and his friends are taking kids on a school trip for a week’s retreat in a rebuilt Old Catholic Nunnery. Despite the uptight Abbess, and Justin’s fear of nuns, students and teachers are having a lovely time on what seems to be a simple island paradise. Entranced by the Aurora Borealis, by the beauty of the island, and more in love than ever with his athletic lover, Bruno has much more to think about than the lights appearing to the north-east of the island when they go skinny-dipping in seas that are freezing even in August.
When Bruno and Imogen get drunk after accepting an invitation to an Open Evening at a New Age centre of eco-spirituality, he can’t believe his eyes at a momentary vision of evil in paradise and neither can his friends, but his unease grows. However, when an afternoon cycle ride turns into drug-fuelled lovemaking with an old friend, then a morning swim with seals leads him to an encounter with elemental forces beyond his ken, Bruno loses all grip on reality and tensions rise as the others have to shoulder his work.
Bruno feels mad, bad and dangerous to know but, unbeknownst to him, someone who has been with him from the beginning of the trip believes his wild story and together they rescue lives that others are selling to the highest bidder - but not without paying a high price.
Tìr nam Bàn is the fifth of the Bruno Benedetti Mysteries, which start with Tricks of the Mind and continue with The Lovers, Shades of the Sun and Qismet.