Jon Downes

Although much has been written in recent years about the mystery big cats which have been reported stalking Westcountry moorlands, little has been written on the subject of the smaller British mystery carnivores. This unique book redresses the balance and examines the current status in […]

“For years I have augmented my income by working as a `hack` writer, penning throwaway articles for anyone who will pay me. Regularly, I would get the bus into Exeter City Centre, and sneak into W.H.Smiths and peruse the magazines for sale, and make a […]

A new edition of the classic 1999 book by legendary Fortean author Jonathan Downes. In this remarkable book, Jon weaves a complex tale of conspiracy, anti-conspiracy, quasi-conspiracy and downright lies surrounding an air-crash and alleged UFO incident in Somerset during 1996.

I hope that people reading this book have as much fun as I did writing it. I was inspired by Douglas Botting’s biography of my hero Gerald Durrell, telling the story of the great man’s life with wit and aplomb and was not afraid to reveal all the facets of his remarkable life – warts and all. This is my version.

Two young girls playing in the churchyard of Mawnan Old Church in southern Cornwall were frightened by what they described as a “nasty bird-man” flying over the church tower. These were the first of a series of sightings of what has become known as ‘The Owlman of Mawnan’ – a series of sightings that has continued to the present day.