An exciting thriller with clever plot twists

The body of a woman is found bludgeoned and dumped in the water of Loch Lomond, while Iain Fraser of Helensburgh, who put her there, is living with his guilt. Nearby, DI Alex Morrow and her team have been shadowing a woman they believe to be involved in drug smuggling, but she disappears without a…

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The Bad Fire takes Bob Skinner into retirement

It takes some skill to write 31 novels in a crime series and ensure that the narrative, plot and characters don’t go stale. But The Bad Fire, Quintin Jardine’s latest offering to the Bob Skinner series, takes the veteran Chief Constable in a new direction – retirement. Despite a greater focus on his daughter Alex,…

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Remembering Scotland’s Collosus of Roads

Telford began as a young apprentice to a stonemason and by the end of his years was called ‘The Collosus of Roads’. He was unquestionably one of Britain’s finest engineers. This book recounts the history of one of the Industrial Revolution’s heroes, highlighting the work and life of a man of culture who remembered his…

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Stars shine brightly in this Scots novel

Cameron Sparks’ life isn’t going to plan, in Bright Stars by Sophie Duffy. He and his wife have separated and he is being forced to move back in with his widowed dad, plus he’s awaiting a disciplinary at work following an incident in the underground vaults of Edinburgh where he works as a Ghost Tour…

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Spending a season with the wild geese

It is impossible not to be charmed by the poignant and lyrical way in which Wintering effortlessly sketches vivid portraits of these often underappreciated birds. The reader is invited to share in the solace which Stephen Rutt finds in nature through the book’s elegant and very readable prose, which although soothing, never loses its poetic…

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When Burns became the talk of the capital

Robert Burns arrived unknown in Edinburgh in 1786, but within days the ‘Ploughman Poet’ was the talk of the town. This colourful guide to Burns’ associations with the city chronicles the places he visited and people he met. With easy-to-follow routes through Edinburgh arranged by the people and places who influenced the Bard, this is…

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A stunning collection of photography from Skye

When visiting Skye or the West Coast of Scotland more generally, most of us cross our fingers and pray for sunshine. However, the same cannot be said for photographer Morten Hansen. Inspired by the Viking explorers who first christened Skye ‘cloud island’, Hansen sets out to present the island in all its rainy glory –…

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Designs on success in creative Edinburgh

With its beautiful architecture, world heritage status, and world-class art galleries and museums, Edinburgh is a city which is truly steeped in creative history. Although a walk through the Georgian splendour of the New Town or the winding, medieval streets of the Old Town makes the city’s charm evident, what is not so obvious is…

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A dog’s tail is a heartwarming story for wee ones

After his mother’s death, Josh is sent to live with his uncle on a farm on a remote Scottish island. One day he comes across an abandoned border collie puppy. Josh breaks his uncle’s strict no-pets policy by keeping the puppy in secret. When his deceit is discovered, it threatens everything. Perfect for younger readers,…

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This 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…

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