Alan, who comes from abject poverty often going hungry for days, is caught in the middle of Nottingham stealing a hot beef pie.

He manages to escape immediate punishment by running away and, as the notorious outlaw Robert Odo (Robin Hood's real name in the novel) is holding court in the local church, his mother pays for Alan to be taken into his service, saving him from the Sheriff of Nottingham's vicious justice.

Alan never sees his mother again as he departs that night to live in the vast expanse of Sherwood Forest under the tutelage of the most notorious outlaw in English folklore.

[1] Author Faith L. Justice stated in her blog that she found Outlaw to be "fast-paced with well-developed characters, plot twists, and an exciting climax.

"[2] Conversely, fellow historical fiction author Ben Kane stated that "Outlaw is a thoroughly welcome addition to my bookshelf", describing Donald's depiction of 13th-century England as "excellent, well researched and full of detail; so too are his gripping fight scenes.