The Glastonbury Triangle

Stephen Ford’s third novel, The Glastonbury Triangle, is a smart, atmospheric blend of contemporary investigative thriller and ancient British lore. It manages to be both a fast-paced page-turner and a thoughtful meditation on the tension between belief, science, and nature. I appreciate a book that doesn’t just entertain but offers a deeper dive into the cultural fault lines of modern Britain, and Ford delivers on this front. The professional, yet easily accessible tone of the writing makes it a smooth read, grounding the more fantastical elements in a recognisably messy reality.

The story drops us immediately into the world of Simon Chewton, a journalist for the sensationalist The Daily Trumpet, sent to Glastonbury to write a puff piece on a new Arthurian-themed attraction, the Knights of Camelot theme park, owned by the aristocratic Marquess of Mendip. Chewton, however, is quickly drawn into a far more sinister narrative. The Marquess’s stately home becomes the backdrop for a police investigation into missing persons, hinting at a potential cover-up involving powerful figures. This setup, in which a cynical journalist finds himself over his head, is a classic device, and Ford uses it effectively to propel the mystery forward.

The Glastonbury Triangle weaves together several powerful and conflicting themes. Central to the narrative is the exploration of myth, legend, and spirituality against the modern world. Glastonbury, a town steeped in Arthurian lore, serves as a natural battleground for two distinct communities: the traditional, Christian Moral Multitude and the local Pagan and Wicca counterculture. Chewton’s professional pursuit of a sensational story is complicated by his personal search for his girlfriend, Jenny, who has embraced the local pagan scene.

Layered over this spiritual conflict is a chilling theme of unethical science and conspiracy. We get glimpses of a shady research operation involving Dr. Shorbody and the Marquess, discussing “accelerated breeding” and the creation of “hybrid organisms” and “strange mutant creatures”. The author is clearly tackling fundamental philosophical questions here, such as the nature of life and where the human spirit fits within the broader natural world. The missing persons, the Marquess’s mysterious ‘spiritual advisor’ Philomena, and the suggestion of a prehistoric time warp all coalesce into a compelling, modern-day conspiracy thriller rooted in the ancient energy of the land.

This book will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy stories that blur the lines between science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. It’s a great choice for those intrigued by the Arthurian legend and the modern-day Pagan and New Age movements. If you’re a fan of investigative thrillers where the protagonist has to make moral compromises to uncover the truth, you’ll find plenty to appreciate in Simon Chewton’s journey. The Glastonbury Triangle is a success, offering a heady mix of ancient mystery and modern-day intrigue.