The Ordeal of Miss Lucy Jones

Author(s): Liz Shakespeare

Location(s): Torrington, Devon

Genre(s): Historical, Fiction

Era(s): 19th century.

‘Burn ’em! Burn ’em!’
It is 1879, and a disorderly crowd of three thousand people are burning effigies of a local man and woman on Torrington Common in an unprecedented incident of Devon’s ‘rough music’.
Lucy Jones, the free-spirited daughter of a local doctor, likes to walk alone on the Common, dreaming of a time when her childhood sweetheart, Rawlin, will return from Australia.
Her work as a church visitor to the poor brings her into frequent contact with the unpopular curate, Reverend Francis. The people of Torrington are outraged at the arrogance and intolerance he displays towards them, so, when claims are made that he and Lucy were seen acting improperly together on the Common, they seize the opportunity to be rid of him.
The ensuing investigation, culminating in the burning of the effigies, makes national news and brings disgrace to Lucy and her family.
Knowing that her name will be forever associated with the scandal, Lucy is afraid to leave the house, and despairs of ever being able to marry Rawlin.
‘Liz Shakespeare is an author who specialises in breathing life into the true stories of the past.’
Historical Novel Review, 2021

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