Ena Corlett Mysteries
The Tower - Book One
When Ena Corlett returns to the Isle of Man in the summer of 1973, she intends to do one thing only: write.
Living in Yorkshire but deeply rooted in the island of her childhood, Ena has come back in search of solitude, routine, and the steadying presence of the sea. But the island has other ideas. A man is found dead near Laxey, and while others are quick to settle on a simple explanation, Ena senses a pattern that does not fit.
Partially deaf since childhood, Ena has learned to pay attention differently. She notices what others overlook: rhythms, absences, misalignments. As fragments of memory, place, and history begin to surface, Ena finds herself drawn into a quiet investigation that leads her back through abandoned buildings, old family stories, and a past the island has never quite buried.
The Tower is an atmospheric mystery set in a slower world, where intuition matters as much as evidence and truth reveals itself only to those willing to listen carefully.
A story of place, perception, and the long echoes of history, this is the first novel in the Ena Corlett Mystery series.
FAQ
The Tower
Ena Corlett, 1973
What is The Tower: An Ena Corlett Mystery about?
A 1970s set mystery following Ena Corlett on the Isle of Man as she uncovers long buried truths within a close island community.
Who is Ena Corlett?
Ena Corlett is the central character in the series, a perceptive Manx woman whose quiet intelligence and emotional insight allow her to notice what others overlook.
Where is The Tower set?
The story is set on the Isle of Man in 1973, capturing the atmosphere of small island life, memory, and hidden histories.
Who wrote The Tower?
The novel is written by Sam Grierson, award winning British writer and film maker and founder of So Crocodile Ltd.
What genre is The Tower?
The book is an atmospheric literary mystery with elements of historical fiction and psychological suspense.
Is this the first book in a series?
Yes. The Tower is the first in the Ena Corlett Mystery series.
What time period does the story take place in?
The novel is set in the early 1970s, specifically 1973.
Is the Isle of Man important to the story?
Yes. The landscape, culture, language, and community of the Isle of Man are integral to the plot and atmosphere.
Does the book include Manx language or folklore?
Yes some. The novel references Manx phrases, traditions, and local beliefs.
What age group is the book suitable for?
The novel is suitable for adult and older teenage readers.Is The Tower a cosy mystery or a darker thrillerIt sits between literary mystery and gentle suspense rather than graphic crime.
What themes does the novel explore?
Memory, identity, intergenerational experience, women’s inner lives, silence, and the power of place.
Is The Tower available to buy?
Yes. The second edition is now available in print via the order link
Who is the publisher?
The book is published by So Crocodile Ltd.
Is The Tower suitable for book clubs?
Yes. The novel lends itself well to discussion around memory, women’s history, and small community dynamics.
Is this story connected to Sam Grierson’s film work?
While fictional, it shares themes with the author’s films, including identity, hidden lives, and emotional truth.
Will there be more Ena Corlett novels?
Yes. Further books in the series are planned.
Why is the tower significant in the story?
The tower acts as a symbolic focal point, representing memory, silence, and the way the past shapes the present.
Publication Details
Title: The Tower: An Ena Corlett Mystery
Author: Sam Grierson
Series: The Ena Corlett Mystery Series
Publisher: So Crocodile Ltd
Publication Year: 2026
Edition: Second Edition
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-9194536-0-6
Language: English
Setting: Isle of Man, 1973