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Steven A. McKay
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The Prisoner: A Forest Lord Tale (Kindle Single) Kindle Edition

by Steven A. McKay (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 373 ratings
When two lawmen are sent to a snowy English village to arrest a vicious rapist it seems a straightforward task, but is all as it first appears?

ENGLAND, AD 1325

As Robin Hood and John Little, legendary former outlaws themselves, take the criminal into custody they find the people of Stapleford accommodating enough. The terrified victim's bruises are plainly, painfully, visible and a local nobleman confirms her accusations.
As they set off on the road back to Nottingham the lawmen's disgust for their captive's actions colours their opinion of him and John has to be restrained from brutally assaulting the man. The harsh winter conditions slow their journey though, and eventually the prisoner's words and desperate, violent actions have the lawmen questioning what's really been happening in Stapleford...

Can Robin and John complete the mission they've been given, or will their own innate sense of justice lead them down an unexpected path?

Fans of the bestselling Forest Lord series will love this exciting new stand-alone tale that cleverly explores the themes of morality and justice in medieval England.

"A delightfully crafted, deceptively simple little glimpse of life in early 14th Century England." - 5 Stars Steve Denton of Speesh Reads

Author bio
Steven A. McKay was born in Scotland in 1977. His first book, "Wolf's Head", came out in 2013 and was an Amazon UK top 20 bestseller.
"Blood of the Wolf" is the fourth and final book in the Forest Lord series which has over 100,000 sales so far.
Steven is currently researching a brand new series set in post-Roman Britain.

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  1. Print length
    27 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    19 Dec. 2016
  5. File size
    3.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01MT1GJKY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Broadsword Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 19 Dec. 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.1 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 27 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 373 ratings

About the author

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Steven A. McKay

Steven A. McKay

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I was born in Scotland in 1977 and always enjoyed studying history. I decided to write my Forest Lord novels after seeing a house called “Sherwood” when I was out at work one day. Since then I've started a new series, the Warrior Druid of Britain Chronicles, and just completed a trilogy about Alfred the Great.

In 2021 the Xbox game HOOD: Outlaws and Legends was released, featuring my writing, and that was a fantastic experience.

I used to be in a heavy metal band although I tend to just play guitar in my study these days. I did use those guitars to write the theme song for the podcast I co-host, Rock, Paper, Swords! with Matthew Harffy, though. Give it a listen, we've interviewed great guests like Diana Gabaldon, Simon Scarrow, Bernard Cornwell, Dan Jones and more!

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
373 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this short story well-written and immersive, with perfect character development. They appreciate its readability, with one customer noting it's perfect for a midwinter's quick read, while another mentions it has twists and turns. They enjoy the writing style and humor, with one review highlighting its black vein of humor.

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ReadabilityStory paceCharacter developmentEnjoymentWriting styleHumor
17 customers mention ‘Readability’17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, with several noting it's a top-notch short story, and one mentioning it's perfect for a midwinter's quick read.

"...the perfect tale for you, it’s not a big commitment and it’s got a strong story which builds on the series and characters we've grown to love..." Read more

"...(see: any M. Night Shyamalan film after 'The Sixth Sense') and a well-made twist, even if it can be guessed, can still be satisfying...." Read more

"...the series to enjoy this novella, it would indeed have made an excellent TV show...." Read more

"...I like Steven's writing style and in particular, his tone: grown up and gritty but not unpleasant and with a black vein of humour...." Read more

12 customers mention ‘Story pace’12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the quick pace of the story and find it immersive, with one customer noting it has twists and turns.

"...Everyone is busy with the holiday season so this is the perfect tale for you, it’s not a big commitment and it’s got a strong story which builds on..." Read more

"...this author, the characters are quickly developed and the plot moves along quickly, with enough periodical detail thrown in to feel immersive...." Read more

"Steven A. McKay's stories are immersive, mostly historically accurate, believable and entertaining...." Read more

"This story is quick paced and has the reader engrossed from the first sentence, the heroes of the Forest Lords books ride once more onto our..." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Character development’4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...As with most stories from this author, the characters are quickly developed and the plot moves along quickly, with enough periodical detail thrown..." Read more

"...Historically accurate enough for pedantic me, and with perfect character development, surprises, and the feeling that it may well have happened that..." Read more

"Another great novella with well loved characters from the Forest Lord series. It ended with a twist in the tale which I was kind of hoping for!" Read more

"...Entertaining and funny which perfectly sums up the characters and steven too" Read more

4 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable.

"...stories are immersive, mostly historically accurate, believable and entertaining...." Read more

"...shines through and makes this story more realistic, and of course enjoyable." Read more

"...Robbing the rich and giving to the poor. Entertaining and funny which perfectly sums up the characters and steven too" Read more

"Enjoyable..." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Writing style’4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book.

"...I like Steven's writing style and in particular, his tone: grown up and gritty but not unpleasant and with a black vein of humour...." Read more

"...that takes the reader through the lead up to it nicely as usual very well written plenty going on to keep interest and of course some of our beloved..." Read more

"...the forest lord series have been an absolute pleasure to read, fantastically written and impossible to put down!" Read more

"Succinct but highly enjoyable..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Humor’3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, with one mentioning its black vein of wit.

"...his tone: grown up and gritty but not unpleasant and with a black vein of humour. Read it. Love it. Read it again 5/5 stars" Read more

"...The dark humour of the author shines through and makes this story more realistic, and of course enjoyable." Read more

"...Robbing the rich and giving to the poor. Entertaining and funny which perfectly sums up the characters and steven too" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • David Baird
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome short from McKay!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 December 2016
    Verified Purchase
    The Prisoner is a short story in the absolutely brilliant Forest Lord series by Steven A. McKay which brings fresh life to the tale of Robin Hood.

    This short is 27 pages long which isn’t much but you get a good little story for your 99p.

    If like me you’ve read the rest of the Forest Lord series you’ll be needing a fix of McKay right about now and this does the job nicely.

    What I really enjoyed about this tale is once again how the author manages to give an ending I didn’t see coming. You really never know with McKay what twists and turns he’s going to throw at you.

    For me the story ticks all the right boxes for a short tale. If you’re familiar with the series you’ll love being back, and if you’ve not read the series yet this would a be a great insight to McKay’s Robin.. you can’t go wrong for 99p in my opinion.

    This isn’t a Christmas tale but it does have an ending which can bring a smile to your face and give you a bit of joy which is exactly what you need at this time of year. Justice will be served.

    Everyone is busy with the holiday season so this is the perfect tale for you, it’s not a big commitment and it’s got a strong story which builds on the series and characters we've grown to love

    Top notch for a short story
    One person found this helpful
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  • Greg Hll
    4.0 out of 5 stars A nice, quick read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 May 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I'm a fairly slow reader but I finished this in one sitting of about two hours. It's ideal for a journey, a long wait at the hospital or anything like that. As with most stories from this author, the characters are quickly developed and the plot moves along quickly, with enough periodical detail thrown in to feel immersive.

    The twist in the plot was one I saw coming, but that's not a bad thing. An unexpected twist isn't always good writing (see: any M. Night Shyamalan film after 'The Sixth Sense') and a well-made twist, even if it can be guessed, can still be satisfying.

    Overall: a nice little read, well worth a try.
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  • John Cooper
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 September 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Not the best McKay novel, the story line was obvious from a few pages in.
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  • E. A. Ball
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good ole Robin!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 January 2017
    Verified Purchase
    In my mind there was only one Robin Hood, the true version, (come on! It was on television and I was a kid, it must have been true,) from the early 60's TV series. I have never been interested in any other Robin Hood, films, books or otherwise, until I was " forced," by my nagging sister, to read Wolfs Head, by Steven Mackay. I am so glad I did. The book series is the stuff legends are made of. Historically accurate enough for pedantic me, and with perfect character development, surprises, and the feeling that it may well have happened that way. However, I digress. You do not need to have read the series to enjoy this novella, it would indeed have made an excellent TV show. Robin and Little John are dispatched to bring an alleged rapist to justice, but when he proclaims his innocence to Robin events take a surprising turn. if you are not familiar with Steven Mackays version of the legend, the story stands alone as an excellent way to fill half an hour, as do all of his short stories.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • d humphrey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great mini mission for Robin & John
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 December 2016
    Verified Purchase
    A great mini adventure perfect for a midwinter's quick read.

    I'd just finished reading Friar Tuck and the Christmas Devil" by Steven A McKay as a Xmas treat only to see there was a new novella released.

    Concentrating on just Robin and John sent on a wintery Last Detail-esque mission to bring a captured rapist back to Nottingham.

    I like Steven's writing style and in particular, his tone: grown up and gritty but not unpleasant and with a black vein of humour.

    Read it. Love it. Read it again 5/5 stars
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Succinct but highly enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 March 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Steven A. McKay's stories are immersive, mostly historically accurate, believable and entertaining. His Robin Hood books are well worth reading, and they gallop along just as quickly as this short tale. My favourite, by far, are his warrior Druid books, don't miss out on reading those, you will not be disappointed.
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  • MR George mcknight
    2.0 out of 5 stars i have all the books in the series, this ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 May 2017
    Verified Purchase
    i have all the books in the series, this screams of being a revenue raiser from loyal readers, break books down and sell them by the chapter. is that whats next?
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  • stephen clark
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 July 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Good read
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Jennifer90
    4.0 out of 5 stars Robin and Little John fighting for justice
    Reviewed in Germany on 18 February 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I received this novelette for free for an honest opinion. This did not influence my review.
    I read all previous books and novellas of McKay and was looking forward to this one as well. The gist is that Robin and Little John should arrest a rapist and bring him to justice. Unfortunately, not everything is like it seems. I think the novelette has a nice, solid story which fits in nicely with the author's other writings. It helped me to relax after work, but was a little predictable. Still, I love the style and even on 24 pages, McKay manages to draw the reader into his world.
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  • JediTionne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Who Speaks The Truth?
    Reviewed in the United States on 30 April 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A short story full of adventure and lies. But who speaks the truth and who lies? That’s what Robin and Little John will learn. Have fun with this quick read,
    Report
  • mike carlson
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Robin Hood tale.
    Reviewed in the United States on 3 March 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Good, simple story, well told.
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  • Marsh Shep
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another Fun Read From The Author Of The Forest Lord Series
    Reviewed in the United States on 29 March 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Alas Mr. McKay has completed his very satisfying Forest Lord Series but has gifted his readers a brief but enjoyable journey back into the world of medieval England and his (our) hero Robin Hood.
    The author does again what he does so well in creating a rich and vibrant atmosphere of historical realism and timeless wonder. Whether it be in short story or novel format, McKay leaves the reader wanting more and The Prisoner is no exception. If you have not yet read his Forest Lord series and his novelettes interdispersed within the series timeline such as Friar Tuck And The Christmas Devil, you are denying yourself quite a treat! Highly recommended!
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great short!
    Reviewed in the United States on 20 April 2019
    Verified Purchase
    If you liked his full length series with Robin and John Little then you will enjoy this story as well.👍
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