Tempus Cross, a Somerset town unable to shake free from its past, where folklore, gossip and hearsay allow fables and legends to thrive.

In January 1944, beneath the imposing shadow of the ancient Monte Cassino monastery in southern Italy, British soldier Bertie Harris accepts the hand of friendship from German conscript Kurt Zeigler. Detached from their units, the two men form an unlikely bond, both fearing the charge of desertion if caught wandering the Italian countryside. As night falls, they fill the passing hours by opening up about their pre-war lives, sharing revelations, laughter, regrets and melancholy. In his broad West Country accent, Bertie entrances young Kurt with far-fetched yarns from his beloved hometown: Tempus Cross. In return, Kurt confesses his yearning for the girl he fell in love with and then left behind in German-occupied Guernsey.

Tragically, only one of these opposing soldiers will survive their unusual encounter.

As peace returns to Europe, the story moves to Tempus Cross, the inhabitants embracing post-war normality, whatever ‘normal’ is. Here, a mixture of outlandish characters walk us through the decades towards the 21st century, their lives intertwined and threaded together by the events that will shape the future of the town.

Watching it all unfold was a young woman, Jean Renouf. Having brought shame upon her family back in her Channel Island home, the disgraced lover of a German soldier flees persecution, seeking to immerse herself into the closed community of… Tempus Cross.

Lawrence B Hill lives in Wokingham, Berkshire, where he works as an operations manager within a small recruitment business.

“Terrible at Maths” but passionate about reading and writing, Lawrence found some success in the short-story arena after only a few submissions to various publishers. His debut novel, Tempus Cross, and its sequel, Mayhem and Misrule, are both the result of reworking and intertwining several of his short stories—a process the author found to be hugely enjoyable.

Outside of writing, Lawrence runs regularly, dabbles in guitar playing (badly), and enjoys spending time with his wife, Laura, their four grown-up children and their three grandchildren.

Customer Reviews

5.0

8 reviews

Laura Hill

Gripping from the first chapter, I was instantly drawn in by the characters we meet early on and then others who are introduced as the decades pass. I really liked the way the numerous tales, which all centre around the town of Tempus Cross, intertwine with each other - especially when the author describes an event, but then tells it again from a different perspective further into the book.
kimbo

Was immediately drawn into the story and enjoyed meeting the inhabitants of Tempus Cross as the book unfolds. Due to bizarre goings on around the town and some slightly unconventional lives I look forward to the sequel book for answers that the author has evoked through his style of writing.
John Tobin

Wow! What an ambitious first novel executed to perfection. A unique collection of stories that intertwine with each other, introducing a variety of everyday, yet rich characters that enter and re-enter as the narrative traverses the ages. All centered around the fictional town of Tempus Cross! Really enjoyed the unique way that the stories unfold and interact with each other in a seamless way. Finished it in no time as was always reluctant to put the book down and can recommend to all book lovers, who will undoubtedly enjoy this highly original read!
Andy L

A really good read. I became truly invested in the rich cast of captivating characters , and enjoyed how their stories gradually converge around Tempus Cross in such a variety of interesting ways. Cannot wait for the second installment, there is so much more this could build into !
M G.

What a range of characters (good, bad and ugly), all connected in some way to the town of Tempus Cross! The descriptions are vivid, so we quickly feel involved with these people and their quirks, fortunes and weaknesses. I look forward to seeing what happens to them in the sequel.
mark hill

The story of the inhabitants of a West Country village and a mysterious lake with a dark past. It starts with two men thrown together in the worst of circumstances and then introduces some interesting characters with their own stories as the book moves through the years. It shows people at their best and their worst, there are characters you definitely wouldn’t want living next door to you. An interesting place to live, but what’s in that lake?
Sally Collins

This pulls you in from the first few pages. Several different stories are cleverly weaved throughout the book taking you from a battlefield in Italy at the beginning of 1944 to Tempus Cross early in the new century via different locations along the way. The diverse characters (some you’d like to meet and others you would not!) are all connected in some way to our first scared soldiers. The dark and mysterious folklore of Tempus Cross also plays its part. An enjoyable read! Looking forward to the sequel!
Samantha Murphy

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. From start to finish the characters in the story drew you in and made you want to know what was going to happen next. Funny, heart warming and brilliantly written, I didn't want to put the book down. I loved the way the different characters' stories were woven together, creating an insight into the town of Tempus Cross, revealing the secretive and scandalous activities of the townsfolk... Can't wait for the next installment!I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. From start to finish the characters in the story drew you in and made you want to know what was going to happen next. Funny, heart warming and brilliantly written, I didn't want to put the book down. I loved the way the different characters' stories were woven together, creating an insight into the town of Tempus Cross, revealing the secretive and scandalous activities of the townsfolk... Can't wait for the next installment!