Welcome

May I welcome you to the website for The Westcott Chronicles, which I began writing over twenty years ago.

My expedition into creative writing commenced, when I nervously booked my first course at The Arvon Foundation in Devon – a starting point I would strongly recommend for any would be writer – read about my route to authorship in their 50^th Anniversary Celebration: I owe much to Joanne Harris, one of my tutors there.

From the start I set out to create a story with a strong plot, strong characters and strongest of all, the Bath setting – a celebration of the lives, loves, properties and business in the City. Most importantly, behind every word written in the books are thousands more researched, and where possible verified, to discover hitherto unknown, and untold, fascinating truths about Bath and its citizens. To my delight, this recipe in my first two novels appears to work well, with sales now over 30,000 copies and the strong interest in the imminent publication of the third book of ‘The Chronicles’.

Check out ‘From the Author’s desk …’ monthly for snippets from the books, together with answers to the questions from visitors to Bath often from all over the world.

The Books

Joy and Sorrow Unmasked

The compelling story of the Lundy family and the people of Bath continues during the turbulent 1970s and 1980s. Woven into the narrative are the Council’s hidden agenda for the city’s destruction, the IRA bombing of Bath and the deadly meningitis outbreak which closed The Roman Baths for nearly 30 years. These are but a few of the stories seldom shared and often forgotten over the years. Be you a resident or a visitor, whether this is your first encounter with the Westcott Chronicles of Bath or a welcome return, this sweeping saga will forever change your understanding of England’s…

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An Unfolding Soul

The city of Bath is unique. Much of it built during the reigns of four kings called George over a period of only one hundred years. Its three thousand ornate Georgian buildings form the heart of one of the most complete and beautiful cities in the world. But for how much longer? As the 1960’s unfolded, great social upheaval was matched by potential destruction from developers and change in the city. Perhaps, even more devastating than the bombs of the Luftwaffe twenty years earlier.

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Go Swift and Far

Born in the wartime German raids on Bath in the Spring of 1942, an orphan boy, alone and destitute, is determined to survive. The city is immersed in a cycle of greed, abuse of privilege, corruption and demolition as it struggles out of post-war gloom and austerity. Demolish and rebuild or preserve and protect at all costs? The boy, now a man, is bent on success and wealth, whatever the personal sacrifice and cost to England’s finest Georgian city.

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"Be you a resident, visitor or tourist, where best to start but with the perfect street map of Bath by James Hillman found in the front of every book. This allows the reader to follow in the footsteps of the characters and their locations throughout the City. What else can you expect from an author, fascinated by maps since childhood, who qualified as a chartered surveyor over sixty years ago."

Douglas Westcott

Reviews

‘Breathes life into the historical city of Bath – a must read!’

Andrew Foulkes

“Extraordinarily interesting for many different reasons …These books made our stay in Bath an even more exciting experience … As a university lecturer in English Literature I am fascinated with contemporary stories of life in Bath … I could not put the book away. Ian’s life is such a captivating story.”

Ewa Welnic – Bydgoszcz, Poland

‘Another enthralling chapter in this tale of Bath, during a period of dramatic change and development.’

Roger Palmer

“Much enjoyed the evolving lives of the characters and can relate to the untold history of Bath amidst settings so familiar.”

Philip Jennings

Book three coming October 2026

Welcome

The Books

Joy and Sorrow Unmasked

An Unfolding Soul

Go Swift and Far

July 2026 From the author’s desk…

June 2026 From the author’s desk…