Cover to cover

A look at the latest Scottish books by Stephanie Abbot

Native

BY PATRICK LAURIE

BIRLINN

£14.99

★★★★ ★

Born and brought up around Dalbeattie, Laurie shares his experiences of establishing himself as a farmer and the many challenges he and his wife faced along the way. Laurie carefully examines his own relationship with the changing landscape of Galloway. His fascination with the natural world leads him to focus particularly on the plight of the curlew as their numbers dwindle due to changes in farming methods and the drive to forestry. The curlew becomes a symbol for loss; loss of an old way of living and working.

Laurie writes in beautiful detail about the landscape and animals surrounding him. It’s abundantly clear they have become a part of him and he demonstrates a profound respect for them. The book represents an ongoing battle between progress and conservation in which the farming industry is integral. A thoughtful read about a man’s love of his homeland.

Waiting for Lindsay

BY MOIRA FORSYTH

SANDSTONE PRESS

£8.99

★★★★ ★

Haunted by the disappearance of 13-yearold Lindsay Mathieson, a family is forced to deal with another crisis 30 years later. I felt drawn into this story right from the beginning as Forsyth manages to breathe life into her characters within the first few chapters. Faced with loss and the resulting trauma Forsyth examines how familial relationships are tested and often broken as each of the characters finds their own (sometimes destructive) coping mechanisms.

Switching between the timelines of the central characters, Forsyth gives the reader a deep insight into how their personalities have been shaped by the events in their lives, offering a sense of relatability and understanding. Forsyth successfully captures how everyday lives can be transformed by tragedy.

A History of the (9th Highlanders) Royal Scots

BY NEILL GILHOOLEY

PEN & SWORD MILITARY

£30.00 ★★★ ★★

Anyone with a keen interest in the history of the British Army will enjoy this wellillustrated book, which focuses on its oldest regiment. The Highland battalion, the kilted 9th Royal Scots, became affectionately known as the Dandy Ninth. Gilhooley carefully documents the formation and mobilisation of the regiment and the campaigns they fought including the bloody World War One battles of the Somme and the Ancre.

Murder at the Music Factory

BY LESLEY KELLY

SANDSTONE PRESS

£7.99 ★★★ ★★

Set in an Edinburgh recovering from a virus which targets young healthy people, this thriller starts at a fast pace. Unfortunately the book is littered with typos, but I still found the writing easy to read and despite not having read any of the other books in the series I felt able to follow both the characters and plot. It was impossible not to draw comparisons with the current pandemic and the fictional virus portrayed in this story, making it even more intriguing.

The Blood is Still

BY DOUGLAS SKELTON

POLYGON-BIRLINN

£8.99 ★★★★ ★

This crime thriller is set in Inverness, a refreshing change from Glasgow or Edinburgh. After a body clothed in 18th-century Highland dress is found on Culloden battlefield, young reporter Rebecca Connolly begins following the story, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. The author’s background as a journalist/investigator adds a layer of realism to a story featuring credible characters of real depth who demonstrate that the boundary between good and evil isn’t always clear.

The Caledonians: Mr Petrie’s Apprentice

BY YVONNE RIDLEY

AUSTIN MACAULEY

£9.99 ★★★★ ★ Working at an elite school in Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish history master Mr Petrie has the gift of eternal life. He embarks on time-travelling missions where he is often met by famous and ruthless characters from history. Mr Petrie seeks out an apprentice to help him but the young boy’s past holds its own secrets. A thrilling teen adventure with a wealth of Scottish history. An easy read that’s Harry Potter-esque in the best way.

Scotland Revealed

BY SHAHBAZ MAJEED

AMBERLEY PRESS

£17.99

★★★ ★★

This well-known Dundonian photographer has assembled a dizzyingly diverse range of 126 landscape images from every corner of Scotland. Presented in landscape format, they act as a lovely aide memoire for our wilder areas – whether it’s Portencross, Glencoe or Loch Awe, there were classic shots of places many of us will know and love. Some of the images could have been lightened a bit more, but this paperback is a wonderful record of Scotland’s natural and built environment.

From Dumyat to Mont Blanc

BY IAN MCNEISH

EXTREMIS PUBLISHING

£9.99 ★★★ ★★

Born in Bonnybridge, the author is an unlikely climbing enthusiast, but the hills are in his blood. This endearing memoir details the lifelong love affair with the mountains enjoyed by this self-confessed ‘dedicated amateur’, yet there is much to like about this book. While its production values are weak and it could do with more photographs, it is nevertheless well-written, informative and deeply evocative. If you’re ever looking for a clear explanation of why people love the hills, just read this lovely little book.