The Two Confessions: How Gay Byrne Challenged Irish Society

In Samuel Trevan's history the Reformation was aborted. In England, the 'Spanish Armada' was welcomed ashore. In his 2000 A.D. the Church rules the known world. A continent-spanning Christendom benignly guides the lives of millions from cradle to grave - and beyond. The supernatural is natural and everyday.

Which is fine by Samuel Trevan - until the Church gets in the way of business. Capitalism is discouraged but rising, and Trevan wishes to surf that wave. It's the only way he sees to escape his humble beginnings and gain the girl he loves. Even if it means taking on an entire civilisation.

Step by step, Trevan finds himself caught up in a titanic struggle between two opposed ideologies - the 'Confessions' of his age. He also soon discovers that neither side are entirely what they seem. Meanwhile, other, hidden, players intervene to influence the outcome.

Set in the same world as Whitbourn's prize-winning 'A Dangerous Energy' and 'To Build Jerusalem', The Two Confessions offers a vision of a radically different England. Whilst dovetailing into an already richly realised 'alternative history' it is also a gripping stand-alone novel of action and ideas.

'A humdinger... a terrifying story, marvellously inventive and written with great power and conviction.' - "The Times." Praise for John Whitbourn's first novel, A DANGEROUS ENERGY.

'My top ten fantasy and science-fiction novels... John Whitbourn's "A Dangerous Energy" and "Popes & Phantoms." Absolutely brilliant. Read them.' - Michael Scott, author of "The Necromancer."