This novel, the fifth in a series about the Church of England in the twentieth century, is well worth the read if you are interested in personal development and the paranormal. It is about a young man who is deeply and psychically enmeshed with his father, to the extent that he believes he is his father's replica, and must live out his life again. Like his father, he seeks ordination in the Anglican church, but struggles with his sexuality, cruising amongst the “lower class”, casually having sex and dumping girls when he tires of them without considering their pain. He is engaged but is panicked about his future wife, whom he has known all his life, and who is so chaste that he wonders if their life together could ever have satisfaction for him. He is drawn to the healing ministry but will not pursue it because his dad failed at that, and told him it's too dangerous for psychics.

Now his father is drawing near the end of his life, and he is terrified of what will happen to him without his father to rush to his side psychically whenever he feels overwhelmed by the Dark, and enfold his psyche, bringing him back to the comfort of the Light.

He finds himself digging deeper and deeper into the mysterious death of an acquaintance without any understanding of why he feels so powerfully compelled to do so, and, as always for him, leaving hurt feelings and tortured minds and hearts in his wake as he uncovers people's deepest pains.

There is so much to learn from in this book. The dangers and responsibilities of spiritual gifts; the need to “teach your children well” as the old folk song goes, the need to let them go and let them become themselves without interference, and so on.

It's also an excellent exploration of sexuality and celibacy, lust and love, marriage and friendship.

I won't say a thing more - just read the book and let it enthrall you, if you are so inclined.