Paul J. Scribbans – Author

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A slow-burn mystery of psychological suspense, forbidden love, manipulation, and hidden motives.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I’ve totally binged this book… I read it in one go.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I was utterly hooked from page one.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Great storytelling and believable characters.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Difficult to put down.”

The Mereland Chronicles: The Crier 
When a young woman is found close to death on the cold sands of Morecambe Bay, she is brought to Henry, the only person with the skills that could save her. As she recovers, it becomes clear she remembers nothing of who she is or where she came from.

As their lives intertwine, Henry is drawn into choices he cannot undo, and the cost of doing what feels right reveals itself too late.

A prequel to the Lake District legend of the Claife Crier, The Mereland Chronicles (TMLC) imagines how stories are born not from myth, but from human action and lasting consequence.

Rooted in real places and uneasy choices, The Crier is a slow-burn historical mystery where trust is fragile and every decision carries consequence.

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FAQ

Is The Mereland Chronicles: The Crier a ghost story?

No, but it is based on the Lake District ghost story of the Claife Crier, acting as the backstory to the characters in the legend.

What is The Mereland Chronicles: The Crier about?

A slow-burn mystery of psychological manipulation, love, betrayal and hidden motives, set around the Lake District, Windermere and Furness.

Is The Mereland Chronicles: The Crier based on a true story?

No. The novel is fiction, but it draws inspiration from the history, landscapes and local legends of Cumbria, including the story of the Claife Crier.

What is the Claife Crier?

The Claife Crier is a famous Lake District ghost legend associated with Claife Heights and Windermere. The Crier explores the story behind the legend.

Where is The Mereland Chronicles: The Crier set?

The story is set in early 16th-century Cumbria, including Furness Abbey, Dalton-in-Furness and the area around Windermere. Places such as Ulverston and the surrounding Furness landscape also feature in the world of the novel.

Is The Mereland Chronicles: The Crier a historical fiction novel?

Yes and no. The story is set in early 16th-century Cumbria, but the historical setting is a backdrop to the relationship between two people: a monk and a mysterious woman with a past that doesn’t quite add up. The narrative draws on the history, landscapes and way of life of Cumbria and the Lake District around 500 years ago, but the history serves the story rather than defining it. It is the first stop in a much larger series that unfolds across The Mereland Chronicles, which will remain rooted in the Lake District while expanding – in more ways than one.

Is The Mereland Chronicles: The Crier part of a series?

Yes. The Crier is the first book in The Mereland Chronicles, a planned three-book story.

What places inspired The Mereland Chronicles?

The book draws heavily on the landscapes and history of the Furness and Lake District area, including Furness Abbey, Dalton-in-Furness and Windermere. Other local places and routes, including Ulverston, the Cumbria Way and Monk’s Walk, have also helped inspire the author’s writing and photography.

Are there other ghost stories from Furness and the Lake District?

Yes. The Furness and Lake District area has a rich tradition of ghost stories, legends and local folklore. You can explore more short ghost stories from Furness Abbey, Barrow-in-Furness and South Cumbria on my Ghost Stories page.

What’s to come in the next book?

I obviously don’t want to give away any spoilers, but let’s just say the story takes a turn. Readers of The Mereland Chronicles: The Crier will understand what that means, and this new path will be explored further in Book Two.

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Explore More

• Discover how the story was created
• What is the Claife Crier legend?
• Watch the latest book trailers
• Alternatively, why not visit my Photo Portfolios at Shutterstock, Adobe Stock or iStock
• 📚 Bookshops/Retail: Click here to purchase my books on IngramSpark at trade prices 📚

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