Sunday at the Cross Bones

By John Walsh

The story is based on the comings and goings of a Rector/clergyman in the Norfolk parish of Stiffkey in the 30s. He spends a lot of time with "unfortunates" who have lost their way in London, doing his best to help them, particularly young prostitutes and young homeless and destitute people. The story is based on an actual person Harold Davidson who came to a sad demise despite all his gallant efforts and good works.

I enjoyed this book immensely and would recommend it unreservedly
Recommended *****

Was the Rector of Stiffkey a serial predator or was he a saint on earth trying to rescue fallen women from plying their seedy trade on the streets of London? There are few known facts about the life of the real Harold Davidson, but the author has gathered them together to form a top of the range novel. As John Walsh says he has written not of what the truth was but what it might have been and in so doing he has given us a marvellous mix of truth and fiction. The reader is left with two choices. Was the Rector a saint or a sinner? The case against him, which was presented by his religious bosses puts him firmly in the latter category and led to his ultimate downfall. Perhaps in his pioneering zeal, the Rector simply tried too hard. Recommended *****

I thought the story need not have been so long. I liked the style of English of the journals, a kind of language used in a bygone age Not Recommended ***

The major part of this story is spent on lengthy descriptions which I found tedious, with nothing much happening until quite near the end Not recommended ***

Harold Davidson - Vicar - Saviour of down fallen women. Harold has many adventures around London trying to put prostitutes back on the straight and narrow. He has some successes, some failures and a lot of embarrassing moments. He never gives up always very positive as this is his calling in life. His wife is very understanding, but confused by it all. I thought it great fun with good humour Recommended ****