THE Northumbrian Iron Age fort of Lordenshaw exerts an uncanny influence on local history guide Linn Rorting and through Linn on her lover Dodd Law.

Linn believes she has discovered a gateway to the goods but Dodd is more sceptical until a series of incidents, starting with Linn's disappearance, alert him to the powerful hold of myths and magic.

This is a meandering, fitful tale, often wandering off at a tangent and at other times almost descending into whimsy, but is a read which has stimulating moments and is rich with the tang of Tyneside.

Toon Publishing, New Bridge Street, Newcastle, NE1 2SW, tel 0191-2617269; www.freewebs.com/toon publishing