Reviews
Scottish history brought to life by Denise Mina
A tale of Scottish Tudor history told through a modern perspective, the multi-award-winning author captures our imaginations once more. Reviving the rule of Mary, Queen of Scots and her husband’s plot to murder her private secretary David Rizzio while she watches, this is a masterful reflection on one of Scottish history’s darkest periods. Quick paced…
Read MoreA family’s history captured on film since 1840
The Lindsays of Balcarres spans a century of photographs from an ancient Scottish family. The book began with the rediscovery of some old dusty photograph albums one wet afternoon at the home of the author’s late father in Fife. The photographs, which begin at the birth of photography in the 1840s, unravel a family narrative…
Read MoreA fascinating look at deer – in real life, myths and art
The Celts called them ‘fairy cattle’ and the Greeks associated them with the hunter goddess Artemis, but for most people today, deer are seen as cute, like Bambi, or noble, like the Monarch of the Glen. Deer appear in religion and mythology, on coats of arms, in fine art, and in literature ranging from The…
Read MoreA mystery from Alexander McCall Smith
Esteemed writer Alexander McCall Smith brings us a new and exciting enigma. Set in the unusual location of Ceylon just before WWII, it follows the story of a ‘pavilion in the clouds’ – the place where a confrontation between suspicious governess Miss White, and protagonist Bella’s parents leads to a gunshot being fired. Years later,…
Read MoreThis book is a joyous journey of discovery
Ever felt that your life is unfulfilled? Well, so does Carole Gunn. Everyday Magic focuses on Carole, the Scottish mother to a teenage daughter and a wife to a distant husband who spends the majority of his time in New York. Carole feels that she is stuck with mediocrity. Fed up with daily life and…
Read MoreSpooky 19th century tales from a Scots writer
As Halloween approaches, we all like a little bit of a scare. Despite being a household name during the latter half of the 19th century, few today are aware of the thrilling tales of Margaret Oliphant, and yet they are ripe for rediscovery. From suspenseful hauntings to strange tales of afterlife and the emotional echoes…
Read MoreShort story collection is a great little read
Edinburgh Shorts is a collection of 16 short stories set in the city of contrasts that is Edinburgh. The characters and their lives are as varied as the setting and the versatility of the stories holds the interest of the reader with ease. The charm of this book is that the stories are short enough…
Read MoreThe Stillman is a novel packed with dark humour
The Stillman is Tom McCulloch’s first novel and the characterisation of protagonist Jim Drever surely draws on the author’s upbringing in the Highlands. We’re in 2010, the worst winter in years, and Jim, stillman at a Highland distillery, has just turned 50. His obsessions are his comfortingly predictable job, and the movies, full of fictional…
Read MoreA gripping mystery full of historical facts
Original Death is the third book in Eliot Pattison’s colonial mystery series – following on from Bone Rattler and Eye Of The Raven. It sees exiled Scottish clan chief Duncan McCallum attempting to solve the murder of an entire village of Native Americans during the pre-revolutionary era. Pattison’s writing incorporates historical fact and is all…
Read MoreThe perfect companion for salmon fishing lovers
Salmon Flies: Past and Present is a fascinating guide for salmon fishing enthusiasts. It contains detailed dressings for 28 flies, including fully dressed flies, hairwings, Spey flies and shrimp patterns. As well as instructions on how to create these beautiful flies, the author has included possible alternatives to any hard to find, illegal or expensive…
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