Ultimate Prizes

A devoted family man walks a self-destructive path in this historical novel about the Church of England from the New York Times-bestselling author.

1942. Neville Aysgarth is a priest enjoying a successful career in the Church of England. As an archdeacon, he is the right-hand man of the Bishop of Starbridge. He returns to a comfortable home at the end of each day, greeted by his loving wife and family--rewards won in the game of life--and Aysgarth looks forward to a rosy future.

Then he meets Dido Tallent. Her celebrity, lifestyle, and powerful personality combine to enthrall him, but eventually he realizes--too late--that Tallent is no dream come true, his ultimate prize, but a nightmare.

Fighting to avoid a breakdown of his successful life, Aysgarth is led on a dramatic journey through his troubled past as he tries to find hope for the future.

"Thoughtful and thought-provoking. . . . Ultimate Prizes offers a look at both the sacred and profane aspects of religious life as it is lived on the front lines." --Chicago Tribune

"I did not want to put this book down. . . . [Howatch] is a skilled storyteller who makes the reader wonder and care about her people." --The Washington Post Book World