A Son of Ishmael: A Novel

In the remote countryside near Andover stands the Grange, a solitary house wrapped in ivy and neglect. Its only residents—an austere doctor, his beautiful yet withdrawn daughter Nancy, and a solitary servant—endure a life of scarcity, shunned by the surrounding village. The villagers whisper about Dr. Follett’s strange reclusiveness and the shadow that seems to cling to Nancy, whose only glimpse of the world beyond the garden comes at church.

Enter Adrian Rowton, a charismatic outsider with a taste for hunting and a reckless charm. From a chance sighting in the pew, he is instantly captivated by Nancy’s striking grey eyes and the quiet strength beneath her melancholy, and he resolves to break the barriers imposed by her father. He finds a way into the Grange, weaving his presence into the household’s uneasy routine. As his motives unfold, the once‑quiet estate becomes a stage for hidden agendas, budding affection, and the promise of long‑buried secrets waiting to surface.