The Devil's Beat by Robert Edric

In 1910 a group of young girls in a Nottinghamshire village claim that the devil appeared to them in a clearing in the woods.   Most people regard the stories as lies but the tale spreads and the Assistant Chief Constable asks the Director of Public Law to set up an enquiry to kill the story once and for all.   The Director sends Francis Merritt who has conducted many enquiries on his behalf but as soon as he arrives Merritt realises he is on a hiding to nothing.   To assist him he has the self-important magistrate Webb, the vicar Rev. Firth who is completely dominated by his wife and the local Doctor Nash, the only one who gives him any real support.   The press descends on the village and Mary Cowan, the oldest and leader of the girls, together with her father play it for all they can make from it.   The enquiry, of course, achieves nothing and ends with the tragic death of one of the girls.  

This is a truly remarkable book with it's insightful examination of the characters and their motives.   Robert Edric may never appear on the the much hyped best seller lists or be piled high in Waterstones but his name will always be at the forefront for those who recognise quality when they see it.