The Wonder Worker: Number 1 in series (St. Benet's) - Tapa blanda

'She is a deft storyteller, and her writing has depth, grace and pace' SUNDAY TIMES 'Truly unputdownable' THE TIMES 'Susan Howatch may well become the Anthony Trollope of the 20th century' Andrew Greeley, INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY 'Magnificent modern saga' COUNTRY LIVING 'Howatch presents a perfectly balanced and, in places savagely damning, portrait of our times' TATLER

Originally published as A Question of Integrity, this novel tells the story of Alice, Shy, dumpy and unhappy with herself, she wanders the City of London one lunch hour and stumbles without warning into a situation which will revolutionise her life. Brought up by a strict maiden aunt devoted to rationalism, Alice hardly foresees that she'll be drawn into the mysterious world of a healing centre based at a church and its offbeat but very human inhabitants who struggle to help others survive the maelstrom of modern life. There's Lewis, the irascible traditionalist, a priest of the old school who has problems dealing with women, homosexuals and the liberal spirit of the age; Rosalind, who appears so glamorous and successful but is in truth unhappy and unfulfilled; Francie, a woman who may or may not be deluded but who burns above all to be loved; Stacy, the naïve young trainee searching for the right direction as he becomes increasingly lost; and finally Nicholas, the one-time shady wonder-worker now determined to stay honest - even as he finds himself drawn towards danger, damage and demoralisation.