Reviews
A refreshing fictional take on Robert the Bruce
This hefty novel gives voice to the five sisters of Robert the Bruce, highlighting the challenges they faced as sisters of Scotland’s great hero. It is certainly refreshing to hear the female voice within history’s discourse of wars and battles that is so often dominated by men. The story begins with Isa, the eldest sister…
Read MoreA fascinating look into how the wealthy used to live
Country House Cameras is a stunning glimpse into how the other half used to live. This collection of photographs taken at some of Britain’s grandest houses provides a fascinating insight into the advent of family photography. With a Preface by Michael Pritchard, Director-General of the Royal Photographic Society, this includes previously unpublished photographs from the…
Read MoreAn uplifting warming read – perfect for autumn nights
Libby Page, the best selling author of The Lido and The 24 Hour Cafe brings us her third novel, The Island Home. Keeping with her theme of community, it follows the characters Lorna and Alice, who both have a unique but powerful connection to the unnamed island. This is a tale full of secrets, friendship…
Read MoreWhen vampires came to Scotland in a great read
I have always been a fan of the vampire genre, but this is a first for me. This tale of blood sucking horror set in the Highlands of Scotland. Mark Campbell, historian and author, is desperate to finish his new book on the infamous Highland Clearances when his researcher mysteriously disappears. Abandoning his depressed wife…
Read MoreSunrise by the Sea will bring some smiles and joy
A fantastically quirky yet moving story, Sunrise by the Sea features introvert Marisa Rosso, a young girl bound by grief for her recently deceased Italian grandfather. Through the suggestion of her rather obnoxious flatmate, she moves to a tidal island off the Cornish coast to get some peace and clarity. But upon arrival she realises…
Read MoreThere’s more to this tale than just Scottish romance
I was put off by the jacket of this book, but in this case the old adage rings true. What may at first glance appear to be a romantic novel is actually a tale full of crime, politics and intrigue, set against the backdrop of Edinburgh in the 1740s. Yes, there is a romantic element…
Read MoreBringing Scotland’s rich history to life in verse
Scottish History in Verse is an anthology of poetry charting Scotland’s journey through the high and low points of its history using the medium of verse. This unique poetic saunter through the centuries also includes a useful little explanation of the background and the events that led to the penning of each poem. This book…
Read MoreA dark thriller set in a fictional highland village
Partial to Tartan Noir and a dram by the fire? Then this is a no-brainer. Alan Gillespie’s prose is as intense as a peated single malt (a seriously macabre tone is set from the off with brutal descriptions of a cat lying on the road). Set in a fictional Highland village, there are more twists…
Read MoreA good read that’s definitely up to par
Know someone with an enviable handicap? Add this to their list of Christmas presents. Showcasing 14 of the most beautiful links courses in Scotland including Turnberry, Carnoustie and the much-loved Old Course, a stunning collection of photos (including drone shots of each hole) feature alongside interesting historical factoids of each location. It reminds you of…
Read MoreFinding romance in Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens
Dedicated ‘to the lovers who vowed to wed in secret during lockdown’, Sara Sheridan hints at the intense romance of this piece of historical fiction from the off – and it lives up to expectation. Enlightenment Edinburgh is in the throes of tumultuous change, and newly widowed Elizabeth finds solace in the city’s Botanic Gardens.…
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