The Happy Corpse

The village of Delow Martin, hidden somewhere in the wilds of Cornwall, is home to the very Revered William Rackstraddle, Dean of Smudgly Bible College. This year, Smudgly College has welcomed a fresh intake of new students. Among them are two theological hopefuls, Birdy Wolongawatte from West Africa and nineteen-year-old Cornishman Fred Pringle from Zillah St. Neath. These two young men are in a hurry to get started in the great battle of good against evil. Meanwhile, the entry of mature students in this year's intake includes two overconfident individuals, both of whom are seeking new lives. Kevin Holly is a born-again alcoholic looking to join a community of tolerant individuals who will hopefully ignore his problem. Dick Spender, a retired business owner, is seeking something missing from his life: a wife. The Dean welcomes Kevin Holly and Dick Spender enthusiastically, for their fees are fully paid in advance.

However, William's life will be severely disrupted by events that are about to unnerve him - which he will neither accept nor understand by virtue of his desire to see only the good in all men. Under the surface of village life, old crimes are uncovered as an ancient cult is resurrected and Detective Inspector Basil Creel of the Truro Constabulary, along with his boss Commander Bill Wilton, investigate the preposterous case of The Happy Corpse.

Many residents in Delow Martin and the surrounding area have lives that resonate and entangle, while the twenty-first century gathers speed.