The Lyndesfarne Bridge Novels by Trevor Hopkins

Chapter Summary: Death on the New Bridge

A chapter-by-chapter breakdown of Death on the New Bridge, a modern fantasy novel by Trevor Hopkins (email).

The story is set in the early twenty-first century, with the action split between our own world and the mysterious world of Lyndesfarne. In Lyndesfarne, everyday technology from our own world simply fails to work, but a society every bit as sophisticated as our own is supported by pervasive magic.

A sequel to New Bridge to Lyndesfarne, the novel once again follows Kevin and Tanji as they investigate the mysterious death of a microbial epidemiologist, who was found in the exact centre of the New Bridge shortly after its official opening.

Disclaimer: The world of Lyndesfarne described in these books is entirely fictitious, and bears no resemblance to the charming Holy Island of Lindisfarne in North East England.

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21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37

Chapter 1 [ Top ]

Kevin, a bridge architect, and Tanji attend the formal opening of the New Bridge between England and Lyndesfarne. After the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, Kevin meets several old friends, including his co-designer Bret. Although apparently male, Bret is a talented shapeshifter and is actually female. Bret is accompanied by his husband Eosin, a sprite designer, and his mother, who is actually the semi-mythical Ferryman.

Later that evening, kevin and Tanji attend a champagne reception at the Walled Garden. They re-encounter several colleagues from the New bridge project, including Professor Braxton from NISSA, Peter Brenner and Kenneth Nasterton from Kevin's old firm of architects, Tweedledum, Craz the Overseer and Quarl.

Chapter 2 [ Top ]

Some months before the ceremonial opening of the New Bridge, Kevin and Tanji are discussing the world of Lyndesfarne. Kevin is keen to understand more about the Other World. Tanji volunteers to arrange a trip for them, as tourists, to visit a nature reserve for dragons.

On the safari itself, Kevin and Tanji encounters dragons at worryingly close range. From their guides Simas and Omaz, he learns more about both these astonishing creatures and their historical impact on Lyndesfarne society.

Chapter 3 [ Top ]

Kevin and Tanji are woken very early in the morning by Bret, who announces that a dead body has been found in the exact centre of the New Bridge. It is entirely unclear how the body got to the place it was found, or who the man died.

Kevin and Tanji accompany Bret to inspect the corpse. They are introduced to Guardians in the world of Lyndesfarne. Yiselle updates them on the discovery of the body, who turns out to be Doctor Andrew Wollack.

Chapter 4 [ Top ]

Kevin and Tanji are invited to a family dinner by Bret and his mother (the Ferryman). They travel from Manchester by car and cross to the Other World using the causeway and Old Bridge.

After a wonderful meal prepared by Bret's father (a talented cook), Kevin receives both a formal apology for the way he was treated during the events described in New Bridge to Lyndesfarne and a much more informal invitation to join the hidden organisation that looked after the crossing between the Two Worlds.

Chapter 5 [ Top ]

Investigating the death of Andrew Wollack on the New Bridge, Bret introduces Kevin and Tanji to Eric Graves, a Sergeant in the Guardian force in Kevin's own world.

After crossing to Kevin's world, Sergeant Graves shows Bret, Kevin and Tanji the CCTV footage of the sudden appearance of Wollack's body on the bridge. Acting on a hunch, Kevin asks Bret about magical invisibility. Bret is able to acquire an amulet which dispels the glamour which prevents them from seeing the mysterious person who drops the body on the bridge.

Chapter 6 [ Top ]

Kevin visits the Newcastle Institute of Special Sciences and Arts (NISSA) and is greeted by Professor Linda Braxton, who has replaced the disgraced Professor Alan Wilmington. There, he is briefed on the artificial nature of the magical barrier between the Two Worlds, as well as topology of the crossing and the differences in the plant and animal species in the worlds.

Chapter 7 [ Top ]

Bret and Kevin, accompanied by Tanji, return to the Newcastle Institute of Special Sciences and Arts (NISSA). They inform Professor Linda Braxton about the death of Andrew Wollack on the New Bridge. Braxton explains how Wollack came to be recruited into NISSA, and arranges for Sanjit to show them the large and modern library where Wollack had been performing his research work.

Chapter 8 [ Top ]

Kevin and Tanji enjoy a wonderful holiday in a tropical beach resort in the world of Lyndesfarne. Kevin learns more about Tanji's shapshifting abilities when she uses it to darken her skin and reduce the size of her breasts for comfort when near-naked on the beach.

Kevin is persuaded to try several magical beach games and water sports. He and Tanij also take a boat trip to view plesiosaurs in the wild.

While dining in the hotel, Kevin chances to make the acquaintance of Demaz, who is holidaying with his wife and family at the same resort.

Chapter 9 [ Top ]

Kevin and Tanji are relaxing in his little flat in Manchester, where Kevin is preparing a special dinner for Tanji. Just as the dinner is ready, there is a knock at the door. Tanji answers it, and is immediately snatched by persons unknown.

Kevin is distraught. He leaves a telephone message for Bret, then contacts the local police, who do not appear to take him seriously. In the middle of the night, Bret arrives to collect Kevin.

Chapter 10 [ Top ]

Kevin is escorted on a visit to a warehouse on the England side of the crossing, guided by Doctor Willis from the Newcastle Institute of Special Sciences and Arts (NISSA). Inside the warehouse, Kevin has the loading and unloading processes explained to him by the manager, known only as Dave.

On another occasion, Kevin visits the corresponding warehouse in the world of Lyndesfarne, guided by Tanji. They are shown around by Lyssa and her colleague Vanise.