Book reviews of a selection of titles curated by our critics.
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Major Tom’s War, by Vee Walker By Liz Treacher Do you have a box of old letters written by your grandparents and stashed away in the attic? Yes? So does Vee Walker, a local author living in the Black Isle. Unlike the rest of us, Vee has opened the
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Of Stone and Sky, by Merryn Glover By Liz Treacher, Author Highland author Merryn Glover’s second novel Of Stone and Sky, (Polygon, 2021) which won Book of the Year at the Bookmark Book Festival, is a perfect winter read. Draw the curtains, light the fire and prepare to be
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The new wilderness, by Diane Cook by Liz Treacher, Author Looking for something original and captivating with a touch of the dystopian? The New Wilderness (Harper, 2020) by Diane Cook could be the next book for you. Diane Cook is an American writer based in New York. The New Wilderness
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When the dead come calling, by Helen Sedgwick by Liz Treacher, Author I’m a big fan of Helen Sedgwick’s work and really enjoyed her first two novels, The Comet Seekers and The Growing Season. Now this talented author, who lives near Tain, has turned her hand to crime.
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The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig by Liz Treacher, Author Imagine if, somewhere between life and death, there is a library with shelves that go on for ever. And every shelf contains books describing every different life you might have lived... Intrigued yet? I’m sure you are, because we
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The History of Love, by Nicole Krauss by Liz Treacher, Author I think we probably all have a ‘go to’ book that we return to when we need a bit of a ‘pick-me-up.’ The History of Love by Nicole Krauss is the one I reread again and again. The novel
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Hamnet, by Maggie O’Farrell By Liz Treacher, Author Maggie O’Farrell is a skilled writer, deft in expressing the joys and sorrows of family life, and no less so in her latest novel. Hamnet (Tinder Press, 2020) is inspired by the short life of Shakespeare’s only son, who
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Bear Witness, by Mandy Haggith by Liz Treacher, Author Bear Witness, by the Scottish writer Mandy Haggith, was published by Saraband in 2013, but there is a passion for wildlife that shines through the novel and makes it still feel very relevant today. Described by The Scotsman as a ‘backwoods
Books
Spring, by Ali Smith by Liz Treacher, Author Ali Smith was born in Inverness and her writing is still profoundly influenced by Scotland. In her latest novel, the plot culminates at present day Culloden and the giant Tesco in Inverness! Spring (Hamish Hamilton, 2019) is the third in Smith’s
Books
The Growing Season, by Helen Sedgwick by Liz Treacher, Author As this is my first book review for the Kyle Chronicle, I wanted to feature a book by a local author. Helen Sedgwick lives near Tain, and when she’s not writing she’s busy in the garden, growing vegetables.