Murder, Tribes and Faith

Rating: 4/5

Much like last month, today’s review is another book I’ve been wanting to get my hands on. James Alistair Henry’s Pagans (2025) is a combination of thriller and ‘what if’ fiction. It is an imaginative yet narratively puzzling novel that both challenges and intrigues its readers, led by a memorable pair of characters.

Set in an alternate world where the Norman conquest never took place and Christianity is no longer the dominant religion, it follows Captain Aedith Mercia and Tribal Detective Inspector, Drustan, who are called to investigate the murder of a Celt diplomat only to discover something sinister afoot. Scheming tribes, ritualistic killings, the two detectives are in a race against time to find a killer whose objectives may threaten their nation’s social order.  

The thing that stands out most in Pagans is Henry’s sense of creativity. When I read the synopsis for Pagans I had the impression I was going to read a kind of dark fantasy similar to works like Jim Butcher. But surprisingly Pagans does not over do the fantastical elements. There is no magic. And while supernatural beings are suggested through character Drustan’s struggle over his faith ,there are in fact, no gods. Either way the world of Pagans still offers a suspenseful and alluring atmosphere reminding me of gritty British crime dramas like The Tunnel and Line of Duty. 

That’s not to say it didn’t have its faults. While Henry’s phrases and derogative terms did provide a sense of authenticity and originality to his tribal London, I did struggle a little to remember all the interpretations. Patience is highly recommended.  There are also moments in certain chapters where I felt the storytelling was jumping too far ahead, upsetting the pacing slightly and leaving me trying to figure out how the characters got from A to B.

Fortunately, anything lacking is compensated for by its two lead characters.

Aedith is your typical workaholic officer with high connections. She is focussed, duty bound and dedicated not only to her job but to her own flesh and blood.

Drustan is quiet and collective, keeping his cards close to his chest.

Out of the two I felt more drawn to him. There is a mysticism to Drustan that makes readers want to know more about his profession, his tribe and his past.  You start to wonder what his involvement in this case is really about.

Aedith is an interesting character herself but I felt there was a slight flaw when it came to her relationship with her adoptive son, Coram. It’s obvious Aedith struggles to show a materanal side to the young celt. The build up to their confrontation did not feel convincing and ended up being anti-climactic to me. In fact, I felt it  would have given a bigger impact as the conclusion, providing a more bittersweet outcome compared to the actual ending

That being said Henry’s Pagans' is a non-stop read. It’s world’s orders and fractions can be a tangle to unwind but it is led by characters that outshine this. I look forward to see where Henry intends to take his readers should a sequel ever be announced.