Reviews
Dark Suits and Sad Songs has humour and darkness
The third in the DCI Daley thriller series, Dark Suits and Sad Songs is simultaneously dark and funny. A senior civil servant has committed suicide and two local drug-dealers lie dead, so when strange lights start appearing in the sky over Kinloch it’s clear there are dark forces at work. Now the fate of the…
Read MoreThis gripping novel will hook you until the end
Psychologist Dr Angie Lawrence, director of the new Hazelnut Assessment Centre for difficult adolescents in Orkney, is known for her odd yet effective methods. As her husband becomes increasingly worried about these methods, Angie’s tragic past starts to come to light. This is a gripping novel that will keep your attention. The Crazy Psychologist, by…
Read MoreEdinburgh’s old town in prose, poetry and photos
Renowned storyteller John Fee offers a unique insight into Edinburgh’s Old Town. This is a book that blends prose, poetry and photography to bring to life this famous part of Edinburgh. A lot of effort has clearly gone into collecting the various stories, making this an enlightening read even for locals who’ve lived here all…
Read MoreThe perfect guide to Scotland’s various islands
The Scottish Islands is an incredibly detailed guide to all of the Scottish islands, large and small. The author has an extensive knowledge of the topic gained from a lifetime of sailing the waters of Scotland’s coasts, and he provides insights into everything from geology to history and how to get there. The Scottish Islands:…
Read MoreBringing seaweed into every day cooking
Most of us have eaten food containing seaweed, but few of us will have actually cooked with it, something that BBC Masterchef finalist Fiona Bird is looking to change. Living in the Hebrides, Bird sources the finest natural produce for all of her recipes. The book combines Bird’s foraging skills with her imaginative recipes to…
Read MoreA pagan icon is found in dramatic novel
The deeply unpopular Reverend Burnett gets hold of a pagan icon that has been unearthed in his village, in Silma Hill. When the person who discovered the icon is found dead, the local villagers, fuelled by their hatred of the minister, blame his daughter and accuse her of witchcraft. To save his daughter he’ll have…
Read MoreWilliam the cat – the saviour of Rosslyn Chapel
William is the guardian of Rosslyn Chapel. But with damp damaging the stonework, all is not well in the chapel. This delightful book combines refreshing language with charming characterisation. William the Cat and the Rescue of Rosslyn Chapel, by the Countess of Rosslyn, illustrated by Rosie Wellesley, published by the Rosslyn Chapel Trust, £7.95. [review…
Read MoreA moving journey of travels around the world
60 Degrees North – Around the World in Search of Home is written from the personal memoirs of Malachy Tallack’s travels. Tallack’s story is brave and honest, while also deeply moving. Although his physical journey is fascinating, it is through his emotional journey that he manages to overcome his feelings of isolation and grief, and grow to love…
Read MoreA mystery for a very young lady detective
Precious and the Zebra Necklace is the fourth of McCall Smith’s series of African adventures. It features Precious Ramotswe; the girl who grew up to be one of the most famous detectives in the world, as the first female private investigator in Botswana. With delightful illustrations from Iain McIntosh, this book will be thoroughly enjoyed by younger…
Read MoreThe Battle of Waterloo – from Scottish eyes
In his exciting book, historian Owen Dudley Edwards explores the significance of Waterloo and its ramifications for Scotland. With a fresh approach to the battle, Edwards showcases contemporary Scottish opinion, drawing on a satisfactory societal cross section – from painters to doctors. Scotland’s Waterloo, by Owen Dudley Edwards, published by Luath Press Ltd, £9.99 [review…
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