Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History, has written more than 50 books specializing in British Christianity. These books include: The Monastery Murders, clerical mysteries; Lord Danvers Investigates, Victorian true-crime; The Elizabeth and Richard series, literary suspense; and Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England. She loves research and sharing you-are-there experiences with her readers.
Read More Articles:
A Wind in the Hebrides Progress Reveal Adam Graham Old Time Detectives Attending the Jane Austen Festival Disney World Reflections Jane Austen Seashore Tour Japan Journey King Richard III Kishanda Fulford Newsletter Posts by Fay Sampson Regency World Short Stories The Celtic Cross Series The Power of Story The Writing Life Trans-Canada Adventure Uncategorized Writers in France Then and Now
Follow This Blog Subscribe to Newsletter
The Authorized Version
Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History
A traveling researcher engages people and places from Britain's past and present, drawing comparisons and contrasts between past and present for today's reader.
A New Monastery Murder, Progress Reveal for A Wind in the Hebrides, Invitation to My Research Trip
By Donna Fletcher Crow ~ March 12, 2024
First, a huge “Thank You!” to my faithful readers who have so patiently enquired when the next Monastery Murder will be coming. At last, I can answer: “It’s on its way.” Specifically, we hope it will be out by the end of the year. I know—that’s still a long way away, but in the publishing world this is lightning speed. A few years ago, a two- or three-year gap between writing and seeing a book on the shelf was normal.
The Beginning
Of course, speed is a relative thing. One could say this book has been almost 30 years in the making. I don’t remember exactly when a friend told me about the Hebrides Revival, but I know it was in the 1990s because our daughter, who is now a mother of six, was in high school at the time. I knew instantly, however, that this was a story I wanted to tell.
I did the initial research in 2001 when my friend Evelyn Bennett and I set out on one of the first planes to leave Boise after 9/11 on the nearly 4,500-mile journey from Boise, Idaho, to Barvas, the Isle of Lewis, via London, Glasgow, Iona, and other stops. It was a wonderful trip that we still recall fondly. No book followed, however, as other projects intervened. At last, the time has come to tell the story.
A Wind in the Hebrides
From the beginning of my 40-some year career my focus has been telling the history of British Christianity through the medium of mystery and romance novels. For the Monastery Murders my contemporary characters reveal the story through their travels. Father Antony Sherwood, a church history lecturer at a theological college run by monks in Yorkshire, loves to tell the colorful events of England’s saints and heroes of the faith. His impetuous American wife Felicity is the one most likely to learn how events of the past can impact today—especially when the couple are thrown into solving murders.
A Wind in the Hebrides, book 7 in the series, finds Felicity curbing her rash instincts now that she has their five-year-old son in tow. The challenges to her new circumspection increase when Antony remains behind on the jewel-like Isle of Iona peacefully walking in the footsteps of Saint Columba with a group of students while Felicity and young Teddy go on to the Island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Felicity is on assignment to learn about the Hebrides Awakening, but she is determined to make this a holiday for Teddy and a pleasant break for herself. After all, post-World War II events shouldn’t be that difficult to uncover. And what danger could there possibly be?
Following the Progress
Well, that remains to be seen—and my plan is to let my followers see it all as Antony and Felicity's story progresses. As the plot unfolds, I will publish a blog every few weeks to give readers peeks at the adventure—literally, as I will include as many photographs from my research trips as I can.
It is always my goal to tell my stories in a way that takes my readers along with me—and I never write about a place I haven’t been to myself. I am hoping that inviting you along as this story develops will add to the fun. To be certain you don’t miss an installment in the adventure be sure to click this link or the “Follow this Blog” in the brown box above to the right.
Photo Journal Across Iona
Like Felicity and Antony, the first stop in the Hebrides for Evelyn and myself was St. Columba’s Iona, the cradle of Scottish Christianity. Whether in fiction or life, there is one way to reach Iona—by the little ferry that departs regularly from the tip of the Isle of Mull. The ride takes 10 minutes. 
Felicity and Antony stay at The Bishop’s House overlooking the bay. 
Evelyn and I were further up the hill at the Cnoc a’ Chalmain House of Prayer, 
With its windswept garden. 
Whether visiting Iona in fiction or in life the reconstructed Abbey, near the site where St. Columba and his monks established their monastery in the year 563, is a major focus,
As is the Abbey Museum housing the important stones and artifacts from the island’s history—including the stone incised with the iconic Iona Cross. 
Across the two-track road from the Abbey is Torr an Aba, the hillock where Columba built his cell. This is where Antony stands to give his listeners a look into the coming of Columba from Ireland to the land we now call Scotland. 
Then on to the ruined nunnery with its lovely garden. 
And St. Oran’s chapel and cemetery, keeping the remains of such Scottish luminaries as Macbeth—who in reality was a good king. 
A mile and a half walk to the back of the island takes the visitor across the highest hill (333 feet), 
To the only lake, 
And past a lot of sheep. 
Columba’s Bay laps the southernmost tip of the island. Here, Columba and his little band of monks found land beyond the sight of Ireland—suitable for Columba’s exile from his beloved home. 
I hope this quick visit to Iona with Evelyn and me has whet your appetite to follow Antony and Felicity—and wee Teddy—through the Hebrides. I’ll be back with you soon as Felicity must be off for her own adventure on the Isle of Lewis. Remember to click this link or the “Follow” button above right so you won’t miss an episode.
Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History, has written more than 50 books specializing in British Christianity. These books include: The Monastery Murders, clerical mysteries; Lord Danvers Investigates, Victorian true-crime; The Elizabeth and Richard series, literary suspense; and Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England. She loves research and sharing you-are-there experiences with her readers.
Read More: A Wind in the Hebrides Progress Reveal
Free personalized autographs available for print and ebooks!
Reader Comments:
I would love to go there sometime, but I shall enjoy vicarious travel when I read this.
-SheilaDeeth , March 14, 2024
Offering my readers vicarious travel is a major goal of my writing. Enjoy your virtual trip to the Hebrides!
-Donna, March 26, 2024
I am very grateful for sharing this great testimonies with you, The best thing that has ever happened in my life is how I won the lottery. I am a woman who believes that one day I will win the lottery. Finally my dreams came through when I emailed Dr WEALTHY and told him I need the lottery numbers. I have come a long way spending money on tickets just to make sure I win. But I never knew that winning was so easy until the day I met the spell caster online which so many people have talked about that he is very great at casting lottery spells, so I decided to give it a try. I contacted this man and he did a spell and he gave me the winning lottery numbers. But believe me when the draws were out I was among winners. I won 2.100.000 Million Dollars. Dr WEALTHY truly you are the best, with this man you can win millions of money through lottery. I am so very happy to meet this man, I will forever be grateful to you. Email him for your own winning lottery numbers [ wealthylovespell@gmail.com OR WhatsApp +2348105150446
-Mia Georgia, December 2, 2025
CONTACT Mr DENNIS SMART call ( +2347036991712 or WhatsApp him through this number +2347036991712 or email: greatilluminatibrotherhood537@gmail.com Hello everyone My name is SOLOMON PRINCE Am from Liberia I am here to give a testimony on how I joined the illuminati brotherhood, I was trying to join this organization for so many years now,I was scammed by fake agent in south Africa and Nigeria,I was down,I could not feed my self and my family anymore and I tried to make money by all miss but all invail, I was afraid to contact any illuminati agent because they have eat my money,One day I across a post of someone giving a testimony, thanking a man called DENNIS SMART of being helping him to join the illuminati brotherhood, then I look at the man email and the phone number that was written there, it was a nigeria number I was afraid to contact him because a nigerian agent eat my $5000 and go away with the money then I was very tired, confused and I decided to contact the person that was given the testimony and i called him and I communicated with him on phone calls before he started telling me his own story about when he wanted to join, he told me everything to do, then I made up my mind and called the agent called DENNIS SMART and he told me everything to do, and I was initiated, surprisely I was given my benefit of being a new member of the great illuminati brotherhood I was so happy,For those of you trying to join this organization this is your opportunity for you to join CONTACT MR DENNIS SMART call ( +2347036991712 or WhatsApp him +2347036991712 or email: greatilluminatibrotherhood537@gmail.com
-solomon prince, January 26, 2026
Winning the lottery was part of my dreams, I tried so hard to win big but all to no avail, until I came across Dr Uyi online who made my dreams come through and made me win $16.7 million Euro. I was a logistics manager who lives in Lancaster, S.C. and works about an hour's drive away, in Charlotte, N.C., I stopped at a store to buy a scratch-off lottery ticket during my lunch break, because Dr Uyi gave me all the assurance that the numbers are not going to fail after I did all he asked me to do. Dr Uyi is a powerful Dr that is on a mission to eradicate poverty from people's lives and i have confirmed that by winning $16.7 million Euro with the numbers he provided for me, it is my promise to tell the world about my experience with Dr Uyi and that's what I'm doing now, you can win the lottery fast with the help of Dr Uyi he is tested and trusted Email: drzukalottospelltemple@gmail.com OR WhatsApp on +17174154115
-Susan Jessica, January 30, 2026
WHAT CAN I DO TO RECOVER MY STOLEN BITCOIN? CONSULT // GEO COORDINATES RECOVERY HACKER
I have read a lot of stories about people losing money to investment scams. I too have been a victim of this scams. I lost about $700 in Bitcoin some months ago, I searched around and tried to work with people ,unfortunately I was scammed as well. This happened for months until I came across GEO COORDINATES RECOVERY HACKER. I would first want to thank GEO COORDINATES RECOVERY HACKER for their professional support and unshakable devotion, which resulted in the successful recovery of my money. I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of such services. Details for getting in touch: Email:
Email: geovcoordinateshacker@gmail.com
Website; https://geovcoordinateshac.wixsite.com/geo-coordinates-hack
Telegram:@Geocoordinateshacker
-Wefred Zero, February 20, 2026
WHAT CAN I DO TO RECOVER MY STOLEN BITCOIN? CONSULT // GEO COORDINATES RECOVERY HACKER
I have read a lot of stories about people losing money to investment scams. I too have been a victim of this scams. I lost about $700 in Bitcoin some months ago, I searched around and tried to work with people ,unfortunately I was scammed as well. This happened for months until I came across GEO COORDINATES RECOVERY HACKER. I would first want to thank GEO COORDINATES RECOVERY HACKER for their professional support and unshakable devotion, which resulted in the successful recovery of my money. I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of such services. Details for getting in touch: Email:
Email: geovcoordinateshacker@gmail.com
Website; https://geovcoordinateshac.wixsite.com/geo-coordinates-hack
Telegram:@Geocoordinateshacker
-Wefred Zero, February 20, 2026
Best Loan Offer For Your Business. WhatsApp: +447401473736
Hello Mr. or Ms.
This message is for individuals, for anyone in need of a personal loan to boost their business or rebuild their life . Are you looking for a loan to either restart your business, finance a project, or buy an apartment, but you are blacklisted by the bank or your application has been rejected? I am a private lender offering loans ranging from $10,000 to $8,000,000 to anyone able to meet the conditions, and an affordable interest rate of just 2%, we’re here to help you make your goals a reality.
Looking for a Fast and Flexible Loan? ?
Whether it’s for personal needs, a big investment, or expanding your business, we’ve got you covered!
Types of Loans We Offer:
Personal Loans ?
Investment & Real Estate Loans ?
House Renovation Loans ?
Charity & Community Support Loans ??
Debt Consolidation Loans ?
Business Expansion Loans ?
Student Loans ?
Car Loans ?
For a fast response and seamless service, contact us directly and Let us know the amount you need and your preferred repayment period, and we’ll get back to you in no time!
Your financial solution is just an email away.
We look forward to helping you achieve your dreams!
Contact me for more information:
Telegram: @Ranko3222
WhatsApp: +447401473736
https://toprapidsolution.blogspot.com/
-Best Loan Offer For Your Business. WhatsApp: +447401473736, March 2, 2026
I want to use this opportunity to tell the whole world on how I become rich and famous. I’m 93 years old. I was passing through difficulty in business and there was no hope of me coming out of my debt. I borrow money in my bank to do my business and I run at lost on the business I got frustrated and decided to be playing lottery to see if I can win and make my business grow and I have played for years now nothing good is coming my way on till I meet someone online talking about Dr UYI on the internet. He was taking about how this Dr UYI help him to win mega million lottery game. I said to myself if this is true and decide to contact him and told him to help me as well I later read more about this man and see how he has been helping people all over the world. I have faith in him and choose to work with him. After working with him he told me what I need to do for the number to be given to me which I did after he finish working he said I will have a dream and the number will be review to me in the dream. That night has I was sleeping I dream a number immediately he call me and gave me the same number I dream of and ask me to go and play the number. Today I’m here testifying of the good work he did for me I played the number and I won the sum of 340, 000,000 million dollars in a mega million lottery. You can contact Dr UYI for help if you want to win big in lottery game he has the gift of giving right number contact him today and thank me email him today Via email: drzukalottospelltemple@gmail.com OR WhatsApp on +17174154115
-Benjamin Leo, March 3, 2026
THE BEST AND LEGITIMATE HACKER IN THE WORLD // GEO COORDINATES RECOVERY HACKER
Do you want to hire a hacker to solve your problems in various conditions? If you require the services of a genuine hacker and do not have any idea about how to hire a professional hacker online, you are at the right place. There are many cryptocurrency theft cases and schemes currently in circulation in the whole world so it’s important to be careful before investing with any platform. I lost almost all my savings in a fake investment website but I got rescued through the recovery hacker called GEO COORDINATES RECOVERY HACKER as they recovered my stolen funds completely without hassle or hidden fees. This expert retrieved my stolen funds remotely within a few hours as I got notification on my blockchain wallet my funds had been restored. This is the best help I ever got on the internet and I decided to give them a good review about their good job and how quick the are in helping and standing for individuals in tough situations. Kindly contact them if you are in trouble.
Email: geovcoordinateshacker@gmail.com
Website; https://geovcoordinateshac.wixsite.com/geo-coordinates-hack
-Fate Elena, April 2, 2026