When George (Georgina) Lennox heads to the barren island of Eilean Eadar, to investigate a devastating accident, she discovers an island lost in time with a strange, and secretive pagan past.
A tight community (and a lot of sheep) are reluctant to welcome the detective inspectors from Glasgow, and their hostility thwarts the investigation at every turn.
The death of a young man at the base of a lighthouse where three lighthouse keepers vanished back in 1919 at first looks like a case of suicide, but darker threads are revealed.
I found this book painted a really strong and atmospheric picture of this barren Scottish island and the people who live on them. The relationship between George and her pragmatic partner Richie was enjoyable and added lightness to the darker plot.
The book is slow to get started and feels like a series of uncomfortable interviews that don’t take us further forward. It’s not until we are introduced to the mysterious priest and George starts hearing the howling wolves and seeing dark figures at the window, that the book really gripped me.
Is it me or did it have whispers of 1970s horror classic the Wickerman?
This is a really impressive and atmospheric debut, written with confidence and such an easy to read style but also so evocative you feel you’re on this chilly island, battling the same winds and rocky paths.
I hope this is the start of a series. Gripping and enjoyable. Perfect for cold nights next to a cosy fire!
Kate Toon
Bookshop Owner
