Robin Hardy

Anthony Shaffer

A policeman investigates the disappearance of a child from a Scottish island only to discover diabolic pagan fertility rites that involve human sacrifice.

A Novel

The Wicker Man

Source: Copyright deposit, Dec. 13, 1993.

The Call of the Wendigo

The inhabitants of Summerisle strike at the heart of civilized society by engaging in erotic rites, blood sacrifice, and orgiastic dance.

Roman, the Christian leader of Lystra decides that his armies should free the city of Corona from its corruptions

High Lord of Lystra

After giving birth to a son, Dierdre is kidnapped and sold as a slave in the land of Goerge. There, taught by a fellow slave, she learns to pray. Meanwhile, the heartbroken Roman searches for his wife--to no avail. But Galapos, the gallant Commander of the Guard who is Dierdre's real father, finds her and gives his life in exchange for hers, that she might escape.

Stone of Help

Secure on the throne of Lystra, Roman, the Chataine's former guardian, heeds a warning that a nearby ruler is amassing power to strike. Roman decides to answer the threat himself. But his willful wife Deirdre, now ruling beside him, persuades him to let her go with him. Leaving their young son in the care of a nursemaid, they travel to Corona to confront the supernatural evil growing there. During their absence, a usurper attempts to seize power at West-ford, so Roman must attack his own capital to regain control. With each success, challenges multiply. The crisis point comes when all Lystra believes Roman is dead, and the fate of the province lies in the hands of a young teenage girl. The Annals of Lystra begin with Chataine's Guardian, continue in Stone of Help, and conclude with Liberation of Lystra. The story then picks up 100 years later with Nicole of Prie Mer: Book One of the Latter Annals of Lystra. Robin Hardy is the author of the Streiker Saga, the Sammy series, and Padre. She is also the editor of W.W. Melton's classic devotional, Sifted But Saved. For photos, articles, guest features and updates on new releases, see www.robinhardy.com.

Liberation of Lystra

On the tenth birthday of Chataine Dierdre, her father, Karel, appoints a guardian for her--Roman, a captain of the guard. Karel is aware of the Lystran law that, at age 17, Chataine must choose the man she will marry. But he never dreams her choice might be Roman, the homely soldier who calls himself a "Christian".

Chataine's Guardian

This is a novel of religious sexuality and pagan murder. Ripping through the themes of religion, paganism, power, sex and sacrifice, "Cowboys for Christ" builds up to its gruesome, excruciating climax under the terrifying imagination of Robin Hardy.

Cowboys for Christ

One hundred years after the Great Surchatain Roman of Lystra . . . At the spring fair, the beautiful Chataine Renée meets 17-year-old Nicole, daughter of a humble tailor, and insists that she come for a visit to the palace at Westford. Raised in a peasant village on the coast, Nicole is unprepared for the sophistication and treachery of palace life—but her father has decreed that she must acquire a rich or noble husband. Nicole's prospects include Counselor Carmine, handsome but disinterested; Commander Ares, who carries the pain of his past; and possibly even Surchatain Cedric himself. But these are dark times for Lystra, and Nicole discovers that in the presence of evil, even good men may veil the truth. Nicole of Prie Mer is the first book of the nine Latter Annals of Lystra. Book Two is Ares of Westford.

Book One of the Latter Annals of Lystra

Nicole of Prie Mer

When the throne and its heirs are threatened, Deirdre's father assigns her a guardian, whom she abuses mercilessly. At some point, she begins to love him, but he knows that to love her will mean his death. This 20th anniversary edition contains new material and 14 very special illustrations.

You think you have troubles? When Sammy Kidman, Dallas Police Department detective, takes a special undercover assignment as chauffeur to an old-money Dallas family, he tangles with three generations of troublesome women: the matriarch, Dolly Threlkeld, made of steel and made over by plastic surgery; her ex-daughter-in-law Linda Threlkeld-Rains, who deals in suspicious art and con men; and her daughter Jessica Threlkeld, who'll do anything for a little attention. Thank goodness Sammy has his level-headed, sensible wife Marni with him on assignment. But when she gets all hormonal and weird on him-poor Sammy's in for nothing but trouble. Sammy: Women Troubles, the sequel to Sammy: Dallas Detective, is the second in a series starring the most sweetly obnoxious cop that was never on the Dallas police force

Women Troubles

Sammy

Welcome to Beaconville. It's a suspicious, unfriendly little town suspended in a dreary, bone-chilling winter. But when reclusive Dallas billionaire Fletcher Streiker receives a rambling letter from one of the residents asking for help, he decides to make a personal trip, bringing his wife, Adair, and their young son, Daniel. The citizens react with predictable hostility when Fletcher shows a little too much interest--and insight--into their doings. Inexplicable things begin to happen, such as pieces from Adair's past showing up around town. However, when Fletcher pushes the townspeople a little too far, she and Daniel are left on their own. And the only way they can leave--the only way anyone can leave--is on Fletcher's train, the Morning Sun. The Streiker Saga begins with Streiker's Bride, continues in Streiker: The Killdeer, and concludes in Streiker's Morning Sun.

Streiker's Morning Sun

One hundred years after the Great Surchatain Roman of Lystra, the beautiful Chataine Rene meets Nicole, the 17-year-old daughter of a humble tailor, and insists she come to the palace at Westford. Nicole is unprepared for the sophistication and treachery of palace life, but her father has decreed that she shall not come home without a rich or noble husband.

He had a lot to offer, but his terms were high. What would you do if you received the offer of a lifetime--marriage to a billionaire--with one catch: you had to make up your mind without ever seeing him? When lowly bank teller Adair Weiss receives such an offer from reclusive philanthropist Fletcher Streiker, she is dumbfounded and disbelieving: Why me? What does he know about me? what does he want?Rejecting his offer would mean the end of her dream of dancing. But accepting it would change her life in ways she never guessed. Read the story and see if you can discover the hidden meaning.The Streiker Saga begins with Streiker's Bride, continues in Streiker: The Killdeer, and concludes in Streiker's Morning Sun.

Streiker's Bride

Following the murder of the brutal Surchatain Cedric of Lystra, long-hidden pages of Roman's Law come to light that seal his seven-year-old son's fate, making inevitable the course of Commander AresU--the boy's only champion.

Ares Of Westford

A black comedy of religious sexuality and pagan murder, which inhabits the same territory as The Wicker Man. If I am a Rabbi, Jehova is my God. If I am a Mullah, Allah the merciful is He. If a Christian, Jesus is my Lord. Millions of people worldwide worship the sun. Here in Tressock I believe the old religion of the Celts fits our needs at this time. Isn't that all you can ask of a religion? Gospel singer Beth and her cowboy boyfriend Steve, two virgins promised to each other through 'the Silver Ring Thing', set off from Texas to enlighten the Scottish heathens in the ways of Christ. When, after initial hostility, they are welcomed with joy and elation to the village of Tressock, they assume their hosts simply want to hear more about Jesus. How innocent and wrong they are. REVIEWS: 'Erotic, romantic, comic and horrific enough to loosen the bowels of a bronze statue.' --Christopher Lee 'Robin Hardy looks set to snare a new generation of followers with the long overdue follow-up... another tale of faith, sex and sacrifice.' --Sunday Herald'... the writing style is typical of the genre and Hardy has upped the stakes. After a slow set-up, the plot romps along, with unexpected twists and turns, to its inevitable and frustratingly avoidable conclusion. Those who identify with the youthful protagonists will find it thrilling and horrible, a story to disturb sleep.' --Scottish Review of Books 'Let's face it, there are strange communities in the world.' Purity rings in hand, a young evangelical Christian singer and her devoted fiancé leave the comfort of their Texas home to journey into heathen parts of the earth, hoping to spread the word of God across the land. Their mission takes them to a bizarre Scottish town whose people and practices turn their world inside out. To call it a culture clash would be too gentle. To reveal anything further would be a blight against the heavens. 38 years after directing THE WICKER MAN (and following a 22-year filmmaking sabbatical), celebrated iconoclast Robin Hardy has reunited with producer Peter Snell and returned to the Pagan pantheon with this hugely eccentric successor film, THE WICKER TREE. The distinction is an important one to make, as this is neither sequel nor re-imagining, but rather a film narrative cut from the same universe (or as its maker refers to it, 'a spiritual sequel'). Hardy is a one-of-a-kind filmmaker, and THE WICKER TREE is brimming with the stamp of his personality. It has ample Scottish colour, reaching out through tons of catchy folk songs interspersed throughout the film. Clever plays on religious iconography and an acute understanding of Pagan ritualism. Ethereal locations. A charged sense of the sexual. A dreamlike sense of the magical. Costumes, dances and animal masks. An off-centre look at the absurdities of faith (in this case, neither Christian nor Pagan get off easy), THE WICKER TREE could be called a black theological satire, a strange breed of irony-fuelled comedy-musical-horror-thriller-drama. Call it however you like, it will bring a smile to your lips and, perhaps, a torch to your belief system. Based on Hardy's novel [...] and featuring appearances by Christopher Lee, members of the Beltane Fire Society and a compellingly show-stopping Graham McTavish, this is a film that's been brewing for many years, one that has proved exceedingly difficult to mount. Now, finally, it is here. Prepare to ride the laddie and join us in celebrating the second coming of one of cinema s great seers. May Day is upon us. THE WICKER TREE is about to burn' --Mitch Davis, Director of Fantasia Film Festival, on the motion picture The Wicker Tree

Robin Hardy

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