In the late 1700's Amos Carlisle's family are evicted from their tied cottage when a land grab by the Lord of the Manor following the implementation of the Enclosures Act caused violent unrest. They took to the road in a horse-drawn caravan and when his parents died, Amos continued alone. His meeting with Sarah Fletcher and her daughter Ruth, who are also victims of these hard times, is the beginning of an adventure. It would be reasonable to ask what draws him repeatedly to this barren and lawless place, set in the wilderness of the Staffordshire Moorlands where winters are harsh and poverty and hardship are constant companions? His secret is something that could carry extreme consequences should he be apprehended, but there is a part of him that longs for the excitement that the risk of discovery brings. Unafraid of hard physical labour, his time spent in this moorland village, brings him into contact with vicious thugs, cock-fighting, bare-knuckle fighting, and even a death resulting from an illegal abortion. When Sergeant Nadin, a notable thief-taker, appears on the scene things begin to take on a serious perspective. The book review of Peak Advertiser reports, "The author is strong on historical accuracy and local legends, whilst his writing surely draws on experiences that have bred an empathy towards his disadvantaged fictional characters and a sort of weary understanding towards those of a shadier cut"

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