When the previous incumbent in the parish of wooden commits suicide in mysterious circumstances, Julian Snow, an immensely gifted young Catholic priest, is sent to take his place. Wodden is the home of a number of prominent Catholics, including a powerful Tory politician and an old Catholic family, the Trevellyans, whose ancestral seat, Flamstead House, dominates the village. One of Father Snow's duties is to say Mass at Flamstead and he discovers that the ancient legends about Everard Trevellyan, the third Earl of Wodden, are still currently in the village. Monstrous in size, dissipated in morals, Everard is said to have preyed on the local children. Soon Father Snow has become convinced that there are good resons for the continuing currency of the legend, that something very sinister is happening at Flamstead. And furthermore , he has fallen in love...A compelling and atmospheric modern gothic novel, and a moving exploration of apriest's crisis of faith. THE OGRES LABORATORY is an immensely impressive achievement.

Louis Buss was born in 1963. He studied politics at Durham University and, until recently, worked as a teacher. His first novel, The Luxury of Exile, won a Betty Trask award in 1996.