A BESTSELLING author Barbara Erskine will discuss her new novel The Valley of Ravens at St Mary’s Church in Ross on Wye on Friday.

Barbara Erskine has been mesmerising readers for decades, combining her historical expertise with a hint of the supernatural to create dual timeline mysteries that stay with readers long after the final page.

She is the bestselling author of 17 novels, nine of which have reached the Sunday Times top ten, and three short story collections.

Her first book, Lady of Hay, is an enduring classic and has sold millions of copies worldwide. It has never been out of print since it was first published 40 years ago.

The Valley of Ravens unravels the details of two women, centuries apart, are bound by fate located in the depths of the valley, …

The author explores the present with Eve, desperate for a fresh start, arrives in the Valley of Ravens to restore a long-abandoned cottage.

But everyone knows the place is cursed. Why else would it be called The Witch’s House?

As Eve begins her renovations it becomes clear the place has a secret waiting to be uncovered, if only she can make the connection with the past.

And in Wales in 1260 Alys, a healer living in the depths of the valley, discovers Llewelyn – last true Prince of Wales – lying wounded on the battlefield. She tends him and her fate is forever bound to his. Her vow to keep his final secret will echo through the centuries.

The talk on Friday, August 7 begins at 7pm and is a joint venture for Rossiter Books and The Friends of St Mary's Church.

Tickets, priced at £8, are on sale at Rossiter Books in the High Street in Ross or via ‘Ticketsource and rossiterbooks.co.uk.