The Accidental Heretic - 1st Feb 2026

So, I’m finally ready to send Antonio and Luisa - not to mention the fabulous Jean-Pierre (my personal favourite character who wrote himself into the book without so much as a s’il vous plait and went on to cause mayhem) out into the world.

Inspired by real trial transcript I discovered 15 years ago, eighteen months of writing and editing, I am finally delighted to have a release date for The Accidental Heretic. It’s been exhausting, exciting, exasperating and probably a whole bunch more ex-words (ok, a little strong on the hyperbole I know, but I’m buzzing. This novel-writing business is very consuming).

Thanks to Luca for the cover design

I think it was George Bernard Shaw that once said: ‘We learn from history that we learn nothing from history’

The novel is an exploration of the kafka-esque consequences of mixing power with dogma. As extreme as the Spanish Inquisition was, it’s one example of humans swerving towards absolutism. Not the first, or the last, and that makes it relevant today. In the eighteenth century the Enlightenment swept Europe - with developing ideas of science, reason, human rights and equality. The old conservatives didn’t like it one bit. They banned books, sought control of education, looked for scapegoats, and clung to authoritarianism. Essentially, a culture war.

That’s the serious bit. Aside from that, The Accidental Heretic is a sweeping adventure, a courtroom drama, a political intrigue and a sweet story of found family - all threaded through with romance. If that grabs you, then click on ‘pre-order or buy’ above so you can get your hands on a copy. Or subscribe (for free) to my newsletter for sample chapters and the opportunity to win a free signed or ebook copy.