My first novel was Carnsbury Abbey. I published this book under the pen-name of Christopher Fontaine. Carnsbury Abbey is an imaginary location in southwestern England. The book follows the story of the protagonist, Henry Stuart, a successful businessman from the US who experiences a number of touches with death. He has a lack of faith and a materialistic drive that one day he finally tries to confront. Henry falls into despair and depression and abandons his family and his career. He is practically suicidal, but before he takes any drastic action he hears about a place, a retreat in England, that specializes in helping people with psychological problems. Henry is particularly attracted to the location because his mother was originally from England and he had visited the country as a small child. The place, called Carnsbury Abbey, is a kind of voluntary half-way house for people who have suffered problems but who have not been diagnosed as psychotic. Henry leaves everything he has behind and buys a one-way ticket to England. He has been granted permission to stay at Carnsbury Abbey by the venerable Director and founder, Clive Burnam. The book follows Henry as he arrives at the Abbey and tries to settle in to the routine of the others who have sought relief within the institution. The Abbey, built on the remains of an ancient Celtic homestead, is located in the beautiful and tranquil rolling hills of Dorsetshire. It is the perfect place for someone who needs to spend time alone or in small groups of people searching for answers to their personal problems. During his stay David meets and develops relationships with many people, both guests and administrators of the Abbey. It is during his discussions with people from many backgrounds, and who have many stories to tell, that Henry begins his slow journey to self-understanding and the possibility of returning to some kind of a normal, productive life.