Reverend Gore goes to Newcastle after a decade, charged with the mission of 'planting' a new church in the deprived West End of town. But on his return to a Victorian city in the throes of 'regeneration', Gore finds his task complicated by run-ins with three locals, all of whom he needs to carry out his mission successfully.

As Home Secretary in Her Majesty's Government, David Blaylock's daily work involves the control of Britain's borders, the oversight of her police force, and the struggle against domestic terror threats. Some say the job is impossible; Blaylock insists he is tough enough. But around Westminster the gossip-mongers say his fiery temper is a liability.
An ex-soldier from a modest background, Blaylock has a life-story that the public respects. Privately, though, he carries pain and remorse - over some grievous things he saw in the army, and his estrangement from an ex-wife and three children...