Stigmata — Colin Falconer

1206: When Fabricia Berenger was struck by lightning in the main square of Toulouse, her troubles were only just beginning. Soon she develops mysterious wounds on her hands and feet - and some people credit her with the gift of healing. To keep her from the attentions of the Inquisition her family flee into the Languedoc and finally put her into a Convent in the mountains. But still crowds follow her there in search of healing. And the world needs so much healing; Philip of Vercy needs healing for his four year old son. He has lost his beloved wife, should he now lose his only son as well? He hears rumours of a young girl called Fabricia Berenger who has extraordinary powers and he sets off to find her and bring her back. Can he find her in time? But bringing her back is the least of his problems. For he reaches the Languedoc in the middle of one of the Pope's crusade against the Cathars of the south of France, and no one is safe. Can he find her - can he get out alive - can he save his son? And what do the marks of the stigmata really mean? “The story moves along at a cracking pace, the narrative fraught with action and tension at every turn. I found Philip and Fabricia sympathetic and believable characters, and I would highly recommend Stigmata as a powerful tale of religious heresy, crusades, loss and love.” Historical Novel Society “Colin Falconer is one of those historical fiction authors that takes a subject and not only researches it thoroughly but also has the talent to take you to the heart of the matter whilst making you feel that you're seeing history being made at the time of the events. As with his other work the story has a cracking pace, the lead character Philip of Vercy believable and when blended with religious heresy alongside crusade, makes for an edge of your seat read. Add to this top notch prose a wonderfully almost cinematic feel to the story and of course a lead character that you can really get behind and all in it's a wonderful read. Great stuff.” - Dros Delnoch, Falcatta Times