Forget Scandi Noir fiction – try this Scandi Blanc

Alexander McCall Smith, who is well-known for his prodigious writing speeds, having now penned over 100 novels, has established a new genre, Scandi Blanc. This contrasts with the oppressively heavy and relentlessly dark Scandi Noir. McCall Smith’s latest page-turner makes for an easy and light-hearted read, even if it is still full of crime. We…

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Skullduggery and danger in the Munro saga

Clan feuds, skullduggery and medieval warfare feature in A House Divided, a turbulent tale of 16th century Scotland and France. In this eagerly awaited sequel to Turn of the Tide, Skea continues the story of the Munro family who are forced into hiding by William Cunninghame. Gripping from the get-go, with drama and intrigue woven…

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Discover who was the scourge of King Henry VIII

Whilst Mary, Queen of Scots is a familiar historical figure her mother, Marie de Guise, is relatively unknown. The historian and blogger Melanie Clegg delves into the relationship de Guise had with her French family, The Lorraines, with imaginative fervour which sees this lively biography often stray into the realms of fiction. Scourge of Henry…

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The former Queen of Scots with a famous brother

Margaret Tudor: The Life of Henry VIII’s Sister is brilliantly researched novel which transports the reader back to the 15th century. At times, this allows them to forget they’re reading non-fiction as they delve into the great and often hard life of a once Queen of Scots. Focused on Margaret Tudor, who is often overlooked…

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The true story of Robert the Bruce – the Outlaw King

Myth and legend are stripped away to reveal the true and incredibly complicated tale of Scotland’s outlaw King, Robert the Bruce. Highly regarded as an expert on 14th-century Scottish history, Brown’s approach to dissecting true history and stripping away the many fabrications results in an easy read which is both engaging and informative. A great…

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We bring you part three of our short story Foxcastle

Today, we bring your part three of our exclusive online short story, Foxcastle. Foxcastle is part of Sylvia Townsend Warner’s last collection of short stories, Kingdoms of Elfin. These are glorious dark fantasies, of which five are set in Scotland, The Five Black Swans, The Climate of Exile, The Late Sir Glamie, The Occupation and…

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