Ten Degrees Backward

Reginald Kingsnorth, a forty‑two‑year‑old gentleman of comfortable means, has spent most of his adult life watching the world pass without a single dramatic turning point. Raised by his formidable older sister Annabel, who has both protected him from mischief and quietly urged him toward marriage, Reginald has come to accept a quiet, solitary existence. When an old school friend summons him back to the forgotten estate of Wildacre, a question about the past sparks the first real disturbance in his orderly life.

The novel follows Reginald as he confronts the expectations of a distinguished father, the lingering influence of Annabel, and the stirrings of affection that seem suddenly possible after years of restraint. Set against the backdrop of a changing England, the story weaves recollections, family secrets, and the looming promise of a larger conflict that will test his resolve. Listeners will find a thoughtful portrait of a man who, at the brink of middle age, finally faces the choices he has long avoided.