Born into the vibrant world of the travelling showpeople, Jericho’s early life has granted him not only a keen understanding of human nature but the unique skills of a formidable detective. Now, through Jericho's eyes as he investigates the most mysterious and macabre of cases, Will Harker will guide you into the heart of this unseen world.

Books for adults - William Hussey

The strong consensus among scholars is that the Book of Joshua holds little historical value. [12] Its origin lies in a time far removed from the times that it depicts, [13] and its intention is primarily theological in detailing how Israel and her leaders are judged by their obedience to the teachings and laws (the covenant) set down in the Book of Deuteronomy. [14] The story of Jericho and the rest of the conquest represents the nationalist propaganda of the Kingdom of Judah and their claims to the territory of the Kingdom of Israel after 722 BCE; [3] and that those chapters were later incorporated into an early form of Joshua likely written late in the reign of King Josiah (reigned 640–609 BCE), and the book was revised and completed after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586, and possibly after the return from the Babylonian exile in 538. [15] See also [ edit ] The Travellers Bridge tragedy took place 150 years ago in the fictional Oxfordshire market town of Bradbury End. As the wagon carrying Matthew ‘Slip-Jointed’ Jericho and four employees of his travelling freakshow passed over the bridge it collapsed, sending them all to a watery grave. Now, Professor Campbell is convinced that a serial killer is using the legend as the basis for a killing spree. It may not be starting off the way that we had hoped but I'm hoping the strangeness of 2020 won'tlinger for too long and that 2021 canactually be a good year! As crap as it was, 2020 was actually a VERY good reading year for me. I have been working from home since March and the time not spent commuting has meant I've had more time to myself, I'vealso been working different hours to what I used to in the office which also gave me more time to read, and social distancing worked wonders for my tbr as I managed to read 62 booksdespite setting myself an initial target of 30 books. I guess not being able to have a life and see friends can be a good thing! Jericho finds himself recruited to investigate a series of murders that echo one-by-one the deaths in an old fairground legend in a most gruesome fashion, but the murderer seems to be one step ahead of him. As coincidences abound, the danger seems to get closer and closer to him. The last victim in the legend was a direct ancestor of Jericho – is he going to be the killer’s final victim?

These ‘nephilim’ were a genetic ‘mixture’. Essentially they were ‘non human’. They (bodies) were not created by God, and their ‘spirits’ weren’t either. Essentially any ‘mixture’ is biblically labeled ‘unclean’. The ‘unclean’ animals are actually a genetic ‘mixture’. And in the New Testament we see ‘unclean spirits’ - these being the ‘spirits’ of the dead Nephilim. It seems too far-fetched for Jericho, but he hasn’t been keeping up with the news. Professor Campbell tells him about three recent murders where the victims were mutilated to resemble the freaks who perished in the tragedy. Forced to admit there might be some truth to the serial killer theory, Jericho agrees to travel to Bradbury End and investigate. Jericho himself is a complex character who is not always easy to like. He has a violent streak that has brought devastation and disappointment to himself and others, but he has certainly paid a high price for past mistakes. The many and often-conflicting facets of his personality mean he has never really felt at home anywhere. He also has a tendency to treat people badly in the convenient belief he is helping them by enforcing distance and keeping secrets. This, surprise surprise, doesn’t work. But then what happens is that Scott somehow gets entangled with another mystery, one that’s a lot darker, that seems to be ritualistic and following an old legend of the Jericho Travelling Fair (coincidentally, relating to Scott’s family. How neatly this all ties together!). This is where Scott’s magical paedo spotting powers come in, since one of them is tasked with sending him a message about the murders, on behalf of the other, who wants him to investigate. Scott does not question this. A thrilling helter-skelter of a gripping mystery introducing an exciting and unique new detective, Killing Jericho will have you on the edge of your seat. Strap yourself in, the ride is just starting . . ." - Sarah Pinborough

Killing Jericho (Scott Jericho, book 1) by Will Harker Killing Jericho (Scott Jericho, book 1) by Will Harker

Leviticus 18:21-25: "'You shall not give any of your offspring to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God; I am the LORD. 22‘You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. 23‘Also you shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion. 24‘Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled. 25‘For the land has become defiled, therefore I have brought its punishment upon it, so the land has spewed out its inhabitants."

Member Reviews

I really want to read more long-running series this year. I have been meaning to read more Discrworld books and this year I am aiming to get as many as I can in! I have some series that I have started but haven't finished. I have some books that I have owned for YEARS and justhaven'tgotten around to so I want to try and cut some of them down thisyear. I'd also like to sort out my Netgalley percentage which... LETS NOT GO THERE! I did do a month last year where I only read Netgalley proofs and managed to get my percentage up a whopping 3% (lol) so maybe I'll manage to sort some of those out thisyear too! Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown ( C) to the ground ( D) in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord [ a] have for his servant?” There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil. On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times. ( Q) 16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! ( R) 17 The city and all that is in it are to be devoted [ b] ( S) to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute ( T) and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid ( U) the spies we sent. 18 But keep away from the devoted things, ( V) so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction ( W) and bring trouble ( X) on it. 19 All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron ( Y) are sacred to the Lord and must go into his treasury.” A distinctive detective, a striking setting, and macabre murders - what more could a reader ask for? - JOHN CONNOLLY, Sunday Times bestselling author of the Charlie Parker series

Killing Jericho (Killing Jericho, book 1) by William Hussey

The clever plot of Scott being brought in by a reclusive academic as a private investigator to investigate the gruesome murders of three individuals, where the killer seems to have a fascination about the Jericho family tragedy over 100 years ago where ancestor, "Slip-Jointed Jericho" and several other members of his "Freakshow" perished. Hence we see what at first sight seems to be a barbaric command, but essentially it was necessary to ‘clean up the earth’ (as the flood also did), and also to prevent the ‘seed line’ to the Messiah being ‘born’, by ‘corrupting’ it. Ben Willis, publishing director said: “At Zaffre, we are always on the hunt for British crime fiction that pushes the boundaries of the genre, and William absolutely does this in Killing Jericho. It is brilliantly fresh, beautifully dark and utterly unique: a helter-skelter ride through the eyes of a detective protagonist like no other. To borrow award-winning Sarah Hilary’s words: ‘Crime fiction is crying out for more diversity, and in Scott Jericho we have been gifted a blisteringly new brand of hero’. I can’t wait to share William’s excellent crime novel – and Scott Jericho – with the world.” It can be difficult among the ocean of crime fiction that's out there to enjoy to conjure a sleuth who's undeniably fresh, while still feeling authentic as well (rather than try-hard or forced by the author's hand). A main character that seems very different to what's gone before but also real and organic to the particular story and setting, not just shoved in by the author in a 'look at this, look how unique my character is' way, like they've cobbled together a jigsaw puzzle of lesser-used character traits. Disgraced and penniless after his assault on a violent suspect, he is forced to seek refuge with the fairground family he once rejected. Now, troubled by his failure, Jericho’s brilliant mind stagnates.Many Old Testament miracles plausibly have their roots in more down-to-earth happenings, and scholars have suggested that the fall of Jericho, if it happened at all, was the result of an earthquake that fortuitously coincided with the Israelites’ invasion of it. Born the son of a travelling showman, he has spent a lifetime absorbing the history, folklore and culture of fairground people, knowledge he has now put to work in his Scott Jericho thrillers. Pop along to Waterstones Chelmsford where William will be signing copies of his book from 12 – 12.45pm. He will then visit HM Prison Chelmsford Library for an author talk (closed event). In partnership with Essex Libraries. Author events at the prison provide a platform for prisoners to connect with the outside world. Waterstones Chelmsford, 76 High Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1EJ That is until a series of bizarre murders reawaken his interest. Men and women with no obvious link to each other are being ritualistically slaughtered. The author in the book also cleverly makes a reference to islamophobia and xenophobia that happens in small towns.