Reviews
A gripping tale with a murder mystery on Islay
A gripping, gruesome tale of five corpses that are dug up by a peatcutter on Islay. The pace of the first few chapters feels a little slow, owing to the characters’ extensive dialogue, and the flashbacks require some concentration, but stick with it – a grisly subplot surrounding the political landscape of Britain intertwines seamlessly…
Read MoreA memoir account of dealing with grief
Marram: Memories of Sea and Spider-Silk is a candid memoir of Leonie Charlton’s experiences in the Outer Hebrides in 2017. Seven years after her mother’s death, Marram is a heart-wrenching account of coming to terms with grief. But aside from her journey of acceptance lies her deep concern for wildlife, in particular for horses, and…
Read MoreA gripping thriller in the Scottish Highlands
Fantastically eerie and atmospheric, this Gothic thriller set in the Highlands had me hooked from chapter one. Following the life of ten-year-old Lauren, who lives with her father in the Highlands, she struggles to cope with the disappearance of her mother; a woman she greatly admires but has little memory of. On Halloween, a gaunt,…
Read MoreBilly Connolly – a life packed full of laughter
It has been a long time since I genuinely laughed out loud while reading a book – quite uncontrollably, I might add – and I should have known it would come from this hero of Scottish comedy. A master of storytelling, observation and digression, Connolly recently announced his retirement from live comedy after 50 years…
Read MoreTurning back the clock to Dundee’s tram years
I love looking at old photos that are full of character, and Lost Tramways of Scotland: Dundee is full of them. Dusting down historic images of Dundee’s tramways – which survived from the late-1800s until the mid-1950s, when their removal met substantial opposition – Waller’s book is largely a photographic record of the beautiful trams…
Read MoreA real celebration of Scotland’s women of note
An unwillingness to acknowledge women or their achievements is a thread woven through history in every corner of the globe. It’s with this in mind that Stevenson has written a collection of poems which celebrate and pay tribute to the many women who have contributed to Scottish history, from queens and scientists to salt-sellers and…
Read MoreAn adventurous tale to appeal to early teens
Using Smailholm’s natural beauty as the backdrop to a secret, magical world, Williams’ 16th-century tale is full of imagination. Wynn, daughter of Laird and Lady Hoppringle, uncovers a miniature world unfurling beneath the brambles at Smailholm Tower – a scene reminiscent of The Borrowers and Alice in Wonderland – and works to break the curse…
Read MoreThe man behind ‘think global, act local’ in focus
Author Patrick Stephen is incredibly well versed on the life of Patrick Geddes, the biologist, sociologist and town planner behind the ‘think global, act local’ concept. The author’s contention is that there’s much to learn from the sage, particularly with reference to the current climate emergency. Geddes, who would ‘see the problem and throw himself…
Read MoreSeparating Robert the Bruce facts from the fiction
Few figures from Scotland’s history have captivated so many generations, across both Scotland and the world, as Robert The Bruce. In Stephen Spinks’ book, Robert The Bruce: Champion of a Nation, he tries to distinguish facts from the myths and legends which have grown over the centuries. Spinks creates a detailed picture of the context…
Read MoreA crime thriller that will grip you from page one
By the fifth line of Dugald Bruce-Lockhart’s debut novel, I was totally invested in the plot of The Lizard. Lulled into thinking the protagonist a relatable character – he is a student from the University of St Andrews suffering from an aching heart – Alistair Haston is a seemingly ordinary young man seeking to win…
Read More