The trilogy of novels, entitled A Ballad of Beliefs, was originally inspired by a request that was made by a Northern Ireland politician to the curators of the natural history section of the Ulster Museum in Belfast. The politician argued that, since most of his constituents preferred to believe the creation story of an ancient Hebrew tribe rather than scientific reality, the museum should adjust their exhibits accordingly. The museum politely refused the request but, curious as to how such archaic convictions could still be relevant in the twenty-first century, I was moved to explore just what it means, in a modern society, to have faith.

And so the novel Crawl was born, which explores the myriad viewpoints of religious belief, from strict biblical literalism to outright atheism in a, hopefully, entertaining and light-hearted way. The story follows seven friends from various working-class areas of Belfast as they attempt to steer their way through a variety of emotional storms and chaotic relationships during a day-long drinking session.

One such relationship takes a look at what happens when casual and complacent Christianity crashes headlong into unflinching, fundamentalist creationism, and begs the question; is love stronger than God?

This, however, is just one of the stories that plays out over the course of a trilogy that sprawls in epic fashion from the little streets of Belfast to the heat of sub-Saharan Africa and even to the mysteries of the ancient world.

Something for everyone.