Scottish book of the week

The Unnatural Death Of A Jacobite by Douglas Watt (Luath Press Limited, £8.99),

With its scenic charm and deep historical roots, Edinburgh continues to be a source of inspiration for many writers. Douglas Watt is no exception as he takes us back into the Edinburgh of centuries past. Unnatural Death begins with Jacobite fervour raging through 17th Century Scotland, a time of great dissent and deep political and religious sentiment that turned friends into foes, and left communities deeply divided.

Douglas Watt’s book begins in 1689, when the body of a young lawyer is discovered near Craigleith Quarry in Edinburgh. This while Bonnie Dundee is heading an army in the Highlands, hoping to crush the government forces and help restore James Stewart to the throne.

Investigative advocate John Mackenzie and his acquaintance, Davie Scougall, are called upon to investigate, leading them into the dark and dangerous criminal underworld of the city.

Watt really sinks his teeth into the drama unfolding at the time. The tensions portrayed through the conflicting beliefs and motivations of the characters help create a fraught and charged atmosphere, making it an intense read.

While the historical backdrop informs much of the novel it is only briefly explained, so prior knowledge on that period would arguably enhance the reader’s understanding of the storyline. The deeper significance of the history can at points elude you if, like myself, you are not as knowledgeable on period as Watts clearly is. He has an excellent knowledge of Edinburgh too, he was born there and educated at Edinburgh University where he gained an MA and PhD in Scottish History. This is the latest in his series of historical crime novels with John Mackenzie and Davie Scougall as the central characters, and he has also authored a prize-winning history of Scotland’s Darien Disaster, The Price of Scotland.

The Unnatural Death of a Jacobite has all the elements of a good murder mystery but its slower pace inhibits any sense of urgency that such novels often evoke. The plot is well developed but lacks a degree of suspense it could have easily exploited to make it a more gripping read. Nonetheless, Watt is an intelligent writer. The strength and quality of his writing is maintained throughout the book, ensuring it remains an intriguing read.

Review by Emma Reekie.