Introducing Larry Birch
Trueheart, musician, moralist, bleeding heart.
Choirmaster, organist and former seminary student Larry Birch has a special role in the Order of the True Heart: as the closest thing they have to a priest, he’s the only candidate to provide the group’s pastoral care.
Among his flock is his dear friend Peter Belrose, a gifted writer, scholar and magician whose health keeps him confined to the countryside. When, on a routine pastoral visit, Larry finds Peter in worse health than usual, Larry is keen to find the source of the trouble. But the story Peter tells only draws Larry into a mystery that even the Truehearts’ brightest minds might struggle to solve. Peter has come into possession of a dangerous magical artefact. Worse, its rightful owner might have links to the demonic forces the Truehearts are dedicated to fighting.
Worse still, Peter’s attachment to the artefact’s owner might be clouding his judgement.
It’s Larry’s job - his oath - to take care of his fellow Truehearts. But is he prepared to protect Peter at the risk of his own life?