Scottish book of the week

Earlier this year Nielson Bookscan reported that the sales of crime and thriller novels have gone up by 20% in the last two years. Likewise, some of the most talked about shows in recent years have been true crime documentaries. It seems we humans have a bit of a morbid obsession for all things mysterious, and the entertainment industries are more than happy to feed it. This week my fix came from Charles E. McGarry and it definitely satisfied my craving.

The Shadow Of The Black Earl is a captivating murder mystery novel that keeps you guessing and racing through to get to the end faster than a game of Cluedo. Our protagonist is poor Leo Moran. Still trying to come to terms with his last case and in mourning for a recently deceased friend, Leo just wants to relax and recuperate. It seems that his wishes are granted upon receiving an invite to stay at his friend’s grand house, Biggnarbriggs Hall, for a lazy, chilled-out summer. Except, things don’t go quite to plan as, you’ve guessed it, there’s no rest for the wicked. No sooner has Leo arrived at the hall than he finds himself embroiled in another mystery, as a local girl has gone missing in circumstances with eerie similarities to a disappearance that occurred 30 years before...

The Shadow of the Black Earl is a riveting, gothic-esque novel that delights in grabbing you by the hand and pulling you along all its twists and turns, leaving you guessing at just where it is going to take you. While thrillers are my kryptonite, they tend to follow the same formula so it’s enjoyable to read one that strays off the welltrodden path – part of the mystery evolves from the protagonist’s visions, which help feed his investigation.

McGarry presents a welldeveloped plotline with interesting characters which is easy to read and does not disappoint. With storytelling like this, it’s no wonder the thriller genre is experiencing such popularity.