Posts Tagged ‘reviews’
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…
Read MoreThe 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,…
Read MoreRemembering 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…
Read MoreStars 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…
Read MoreSpending 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…
Read MoreA 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,…
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 MoreFantastic beasts (but not where to find them)
This book vividly brings to life the mythical creatures from a wide range of Scottish legends and folklore. It beautifully engages the imagination thanks to both the stories and the incredible illustrations that accompany them. This picture book has everything – the Loch Ness Monster is here, of course, but so are the less well-known…
Read MoreA fascinating look at Scotland’s lost distilleries
Scotch Missed is an interesting and informative guide to Scotland’s whisky industry. It offers the reader an insight into the history of the spirit and the struggles it has faced over time. It also has an area-specific guide to the country’s lost distilleries, some of which are now nothing more than a pile of rubble.…
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