The Diary of Derek Drummond: The Story of My Cursed Life - Katelyn Emilia Novak

An immortal soul. A forgotten curse. A love that rewrites fate.

Once a proud Scottish nobleman, Derek Drummond has spent 124 years caught between day and night, hiding from the world — and from himself. A shadow among shadows, he has watched time unravel, love vanish, and hope fade into myth.

Until Megan MacKenzie looks at him — and sees more than she should.

With haunted eyes and a quiet, stubborn kindness, she stirs the man he used to be. But the past never stays silent. Some curses won’t break. And some ghosts refuse to let go.

Told entirely in Derek’s voice — darkly poetic, sardonic, and painfully human — The Diary of Derek Drummond is a gothic fantasy of redemption and reckoning.

From the storm-lashed cliffs of northern Scotland to the rain-soaked rooftops of London, it is a story of immortality, forgiveness,and the terrifying hope of being truly seen.

If you believe in second chances — even after death — open the diary.

 

What did I think?

The Diary of Derek Drummond is quite a chunky book with 541 pages but it is written in diary format so it is very easy to read and it's totally bingeable.  I absolutely loved it and could easily read it again right now.

We meet Derek Drummond in Scotland in 1897 as an eligible young bachelor who discovers the meaning of the phrase "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" and finds himself cursed to live out his days as a raven and his nights as an immortal man.  He was cursed by Margaret MacKenzie, the woman he loved, when she found him with another woman and she refuses to see him to let him explain.  It wasn't totally his fault, although it was a little bit as he could've nipped it in the bud if he hadn't been enjoying the attention so much. 

As the years go on, Derek has a solitary existence but he seems to quite enjoy the freedom of having wings.  Maybe this being cursed lark isn't so bad after all...until he meets Megan MacKenzie and falls in love with again.  Megan may be the key to unlocking Derek's curse, but he's not sure he wants to give up his immortality.

The story concludes in 2020 and I loved every single page of it.  I could have read more as I was completely enchanted by Derek's unique voice that speaks loudly and clearly through the prose.  I loved being privy to Derek's innermost thoughts, fears and feelings over the 124 years of the diary.

The Diary of Derek Drummond is faultless and so beautifully written that I felt completely immersed in the story.  With curses, romance and immortality, it has the feeling of a fairy tale but it is also thought-provoking and hopeful.  It's a haunting and poignant gothic fantasy that is an easy five stars and a very highly recommended read. 

I received a gifted paperback for the Love Books Tours readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BOOKSTAGRAM TOUR: The Sacred Virgin and the Spurned Bride - Dolan Cummings

What secrets survive when history forgets the truth?

In a land that has not yet become Scotland, old loyalties, buried histories, and dangerous ambitions are beginning to stir.

Euphemia has returned to her Pictish homeland after an absence of twenty years, no longer the mysterious young woman who vanished, but a mother carrying a complicated past of her own.

Freia, meanwhile, faces an uncertain future after leaving Bamburgh in scandal. Now a young mother, she guards the truth of her son Frey’s paternity from a world eager to speculate.

Connecting their stories is Bishop Boniface, a formidable churchman whose pursuit of family, influence, and Pictish history reaches far beyond the walls of the church.

When an obscure manuscript begins to illuminate a past nearly lost to history, questions of identity and inheritance draw these women into a web stretching across monasteries, royal courts, and the emerging kingdoms of an untamed medieval land.

The Sacred Virgin and the Spurned Bride is historical fiction rich in character, wit, intrigue, and the texture of early medieval life, a story of motherhood and memory, faith and ambition, and women determined to find their own place in a world busy deciding it for them.

Uncover the secrets history was never meant to forget.

 

What did I think?

The Sacred Virgin and the Spurned Bride completely exceeded my expectations; I'm so glad that I decided to read it when the Northumberland setting caught my eye.

It's very atmospheric with the rugged Northumberland coast being almost a character in its own right.  I don't read a lot of books set in medieval times but I really enjoyed learning about medieval life when there were different religions in Britain and the Picts inhabited Scotland.

There are two women in the story who are single mothers but they are treated very differently.  Euphemia is the niece of Bishop Boniface so her reputation is protected by the church whereas Freia should have been celebrating her marriage but finds herself pregnant and alone.  The contrast is sobering and it feels very unfair that women can lose so much whilst men get to walk away from the consequences of their actions.   

The characters are very well developed and I was really rooting for Freia; not that she needed it as she is a very strong woman who is determined to give her son the best life she possibly can.  As serious as the subject is, there are some very amusing scenes that made me smile and chuckle; I will never forget the moment when Freia goes to meet her suitor and it's making me laugh just thinking of it now.  No spoilers here though, you will have to read it for yourself.

The Sacred Virgin and the Spurned Bride is a surprisingly entertaining and evocative historical fiction novel that fully immersed me in the medieval period.  It's a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction and I would highly recommend it.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the Love Books Tours Bookstagram Tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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READALONG: Tam's Tale - Michael Findlay

Tam grows up in a remote rural village, dreaming of escape across swamps, forests, and mountain passes to reach the famed city of Colonia. When he finally sets out, his adventure yields more than he bargained for: a mysterious golden eye, a treacherous sea serpent, and an encounter with a young woman of royal blood living rough in a mountain hideaway. She is Queen Kristina — determined, dispossessed, and fighting to reclaim a throne seized by a savage tyrant. What begins as an unlikely alliance becomes a dangerous quest to overthrow a ruler who has turned justice into a distant memory — and to fulfill a prophecy neither of them fully understands.

Tam's Tale sits proudly in the tradition of classic heroic fantasy.

 

What did I think?

Tam's Tale is a fantasy adventure story that is aimed at readers aged 8 and over.  Michael Findlay has created an eventful journey for the main character of Tam and the illustrations by Lon Eric Craven are exquisite.

There's a fabulous map and a very useful cast of characters at the start of the book and there's a glossary at the back to help with some of the Scottish words with which some readers may be unfamiliar.  There are a lot of characters so I found that I often referred to the character list to remind me who was who.

Although I don't have children, the writing seems quite advanced for young readers and the story feels more aimed at adult readers to me.  It's an entertaining adventure story but I couldn't really get into a good reading rhythm with it, I think perhaps due to the number of characters so younger readers will probably fare better than me with my old and pickled brain.

The hardback edition is stunning and it has the look and feel of a classic tale so it's one to consider adding to your bookshelf.

I received a gifted hardback for the Love Books Tours readalong and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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Lochbound - Rebecca Templeton

There is no happily-ever-after . . .

Kilmara, Scotland. 1725. For fifty years, Iris has accepted the curse that blighted her life. By night, she is a heartbroken woman, destined to walk the misty shores of Kilmara without growing older. By day, she is Moireach, a terrifying monster imprisoned in the murky depths of Loch Moine.

When bodies begin appearing on the shore, the villagers are convinced Moireach is responsible. So a hunter - the rugged, ruthless Henry Carver - is summoned to slay the monster of the loch.

Iris must break her curse before she is killed for crimes she cannot believe she has committed. But as Kilmara's hunt for the monster becomes ever more fevered, she and Henry are drawn together in a dangerous game of impossible attraction.

And when a figure from Iris's past suddenly reappears, she must choose what - or who - she is willing to sacrifice to win her freedom.

. . . when you are the monster.

A glitteringly dark reimagining of The Little Mermaid set in eighteenth-century Scotland, this enchanting and gothic historical fantasy is perfect for fans of Rosie Andrews's The Leviathan, Georgia Leighton's Spellbound and anyone who loved Outlander. 

What did I think?

Oh my goodness, I adored this beautiful book; it is as stunning inside as out.  Lochbound is Rebecca Templeton's debut novel and it is exceptional.  It is a retelling of The Little Mermaid but it also reminded me of Beauty and the Beast.  

Iris has been cursed to spend her days as Moireach the monster in the loch but by night she becomes Iris again.  The curse can only be broken by true love's kiss but the boy Iris loves disappeared when she became a monster and she is still searching for him.  With mutilated bodies turning up by the loch, time is running out for Iris as the laird has tasked a hunter to find the monster before any more villagers are killed.  

The enchanting story is told from various points of view: Iris, her old friend Duncan, Henry the hunter and Moireach.  It is deliciously dark and, with witches, curses and monsters, it is one of the best adult fairy tales I have ever read.  The writing is so beautiful and spellbinding that I had to double check that Lochbound is Rebecca Templeton's debut - it really is!  Put this exciting new author on your watchlist, readers!

Haunting, mesmerising and atmospheric, Lochbound is a breathtaking debut novel that captivated, entertained and delighted me from the first page to the last.  I couldn't put it down and I will definitely be reading it again.  I would give it more than five stars if I could; it's absolutely exquisite and I can't recommend it highly enough.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane - Holly Hepburn

Maura has everything she ever wanted from life – a quirky cottage in Edinburgh’s picturesque Dean Village, a thriving career as a potter and a contented relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Jamie. Never mind that the cottage is damp, her pots aren’t selling and Jamie prefers a night down the pub with his rugby mates to an evening in with her.

But everyone wishes things were just a tiny bit better, right?

When Maura reunites with Fraser Bell at a Hogmanay party, she’s instantly transported back to her school days. And when he proposes she makes ceramic ghosts to complement his city ghost tour business, she’s tempted. At first, everything goes smoothly but it’s not long before their new partnership causes problems that ripple through every aspect of Maura’s life. The ghosts go viral, so she has more orders than she can fulfil and Jamie is not thrilled that she’s spending all her time in her studio. But when Edinburgh Castle shows an interest in Maura’s work, things begin to spiral out of control.

Can Maura really have it all or will she regret wishing for more?

 

What did I think?

Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane is just the kind of book you need to warm your heart on a chilly winter's day and I absolutely loved it.  It is wonderfully uplifting and incredibly romantic.

Written with a dual point of view and a past and present timeline, this is Maura and Fraser's story.  Maura and Fraser went to the same school and, although they were aware of each other, their paths barely crossed.  Many years later, Maura is a talented potter and Fraser is an actor who has returned to Edinburgh to run ghost tours of the city.  When they run into each other at a party the chemistry virtually sizzles off the page but neither of them are single, however, it is clear to the reader that they are both with the wrong people.

Oh this is just a gloriously heartwarming book with an entertaining storyline and fabulous characters.  I loved Fraser's idea for Maura to make ghosts for his business and if you thought the scene with with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze in Ghost was romantic, just wait until you read about Maura teaching Fraser to make a ghost.  Will either of them be brave enough to declare their feelings?  You will have to read the book to find out.

Bursting with romance and filled with charm, I adored Healing Hearts on Thistledown Lane from the very first page.  Holly Hepburn always brings locations to life and this is her love letter to Edinburgh.  An unmissable read for fans of romance and very highly recommended.

I received a gifted paperback for the Team BATC blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Love's a Witch (The Scottish Charms Series) - Tricia O'Malley

She’s hexed. He’s vexed. And for Scotland’s most magical small-town, their feud might just spell disaster.

Sloane MacGregor swore she’d never return to Briarhaven, but with her twenty-fifth birthday looming – the day witches come into their magic – her grandmother summons her and her sisters back for one tiny task: break the centuries-old curse haunting their bloodline.

Knox Douglas, Briarhaven’s grumpy mayor, has worked tirelessly to make his town a haven for magical folk. The last thing he needs is a cursed MacGregor wreaking havoc. It doesn’t matter he once crushed on her. For the sake of Briarhaven, Sloane has to go.

But magic has other plans – and in Briarhaven, love really is a witch.

What did I think?

Love's a Witch is the first book in an exciting new series and I already can't wait to read more after Sloane, Knox and Blue cast their spell on me.

The prologue is set in 1713 and sets the scene of the curse that has befallen the MacGregor family and caused them to be unwelcome in the quaint little Scottish town of Briarhaven.  Unfortunately for Briarhaven, the MacGregor witches are back in town and mayor Knox Douglas doesn't mince his words when he asks them to leave. 

Sloane MacGregor is no pushover and she also has a history with Knox, who was her teenage crush.  Prepare for some blushing and swooning as the sexual tension reaches fever pitch and I was furiously waving my virtual fan on occasion.  The romance is only part of the story though and there's lots of magic, an abundance of cuteness in the form of the various familiars, and a host of entertainment.

I absolutely loved how Briarhaven hides its magic in plain sight, although some of the mishaps caused by Sloane's new magic were a little harder to explain.  Blue the cheese-loving emberwolf really stole my heart and it's no surprise to learn that Tricia O'Malley based him on the memory of her own pet as his character traits are so amusing and a huge amount of love is woven within the beautiful prose.

Bewitching, magical and a bit steamy, Love's a Witch is an incredibly entertaining novel that's just crying out to be made into a TV show.  Please pick this one up, Netflix!  I can't wait to read more of The Scottish Charms books so please write quickly, Tricia!  An easy five stars - I absolutely loved it.

I received a gifted paperback to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: The Howling: Volume 3 (The Annie Jackson Mysteries) - Michael J Malone

Two men, centuries apart, dream of being a wolf. 

One is burned at the stake.

Another is locked in a psychiatric hospital for most of his life.

And Annie Jackson is about to find out why…

Vowing once again to remove herself from society, Annie is back living alone in her little cottage by the shores of a loch. But when an old enemy – now locked up in a high security hospital – comes calling, begging her to find the son that she was forced to give up at the age of seventeen, Annie is tempted out of seclusion. The missing boy holds the key to ending Annie’s curse, and he may be the only chance that both she and Lewis have of real happiness.

Annie and Lewis begin an investigation that takes them back to the past, a time etched in Scottish folklore, a period of history that may just be repeating itself. And what they uncover could destroy not just some of the most powerful people in the country, who will stop at nothing to protect their wealth and their secrets, but also Annie’s life, and everything she holds dear…

Dark, immersive, and utterly compelling, The Howling is a story of deception, betrayal, and misplaced power, and a reminder that the most public of faces can hide the darkest of hearts…

 

What did I think?

The Howling is the third book in the Annie Jackson Mysteries series and although you could enjoy it as a standalone, it is absolutely brilliant when read as part of the series.  If you thought the first two books were dark, just wait until you read The Howling.

Annie Jackson has a curse that gives her a vision of the impending death of someone with whom she has come into contact.  There is nothing she can do to prevent the death so she has chosen to isolate herself in a remote cottage to keep her murmurs quiet.  Annie is drawn out of isolation when an old adversary dangles a carrot in front of her that is too impossible to resist: find her son and the curse will be broken.

Interspersed with chapters from a dark and dangerous past, I was completely hooked from the start and the historic storyline is both horrifying and heartbreaking.  I could very easily visualise every scene in the book as it played out in my head as I was reading.

I just can't get enough of Michael J Malone's writing; he immediately draws you into the story and I dived in headfirst to submerge myself in the vivid and haunting words.  As much as I wanted Annie and her twin Lewis to succeed in their mission to break the curse, I also don't want the series to end so what a quandary that puts the reader in as we race to the dramatic conclusion.

Deliciously dark and incredibly haunting, The Howling is a fast-paced and completely unmissable novel.  Very highly recommended.

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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BLOG TOUR: Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle (Coorie Castle Crafts Book 2) - Lilac Mills

 

Will she give everything up for love?

Freya Sinclair has it all. An exciting life in London, a successful career as a ceramicist and a handsome boyfriend. But when she receives a call that her elderly father is in hospital, she drops everything to support his recovery in Skye.

Back on the island, Freya finds a new lease on life – Coorie Castle’s craft centre is firing her creativity and she’s glad to be back with her dad again. Being so close to her schoolgirl crush, Mackenzie Burns, is an added bonus. The two share an instant connection and Freya misses her old life less and less.

But Freya has a boyfriend at home and now a dazzling job offer in New York. She must figure out what she truly wants, before anyone gets hurt.

A heartwarming, feel-good cosy romance perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Julie Shackman and Sue Moorcroft.

What did I think?

I am delighted to be back on the Isle of Skye in the second novel in the Coorie Castle Crafts series.  Don't worry if you haven't read the first book (Surprises on the Scottish Isle) as it can definitely be read as a standalone with a new main character's story to discover.

Freya returns to Skye to look after her father, although he's not happy about it at all (but I still loved him).  Returning to Skye is difficult for Freya as it reminds her of being on the island for her mother's funeral.  What isn't so difficult is leaving her annoying, self-centred boyfriend behind in London.  Being apart from Hadrian (even his name is annoying) makes her re-evaluate their relationship and this is helped along by Freya's attraction to Skye's most eligible bachelor Mackenzie Burns.

Oh I just loved Freya and the way that she has never forgotten her roots by weaving the colours of Skye into her pottery.  Freya is so talented that it's no wonder she is in demand and she has a difficult decision to make about her future after being offered a dream job in New York.

I enjoyed visiting Coorie Castle and the fabulous craft centre again and it was lovely to catch up with some of the characters I met in Surprises on the Scottish Isle.  I loved how they played a part in the story, delighting readers who have read the first book but without making any new readers feel as if they have missed out.

Filled with pulse-pounding romance and sprinkled with humour, Summer Escapes on the Scottish Isle is an incredibly heartwarming and uplifting novel that transports readers to the picturesque Isle of Skye.  A highly recommended read.

I chose to read a digital ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Purchase link: https://books2read.com/SSOSI

About the author: 

Lilac Mills lives on a Welsh hillside with her very patient husband and incredibly sweet dog, where she grows veggies (if the slugs don't get them), bakes (badly) and loves making things out of glitter and glue (a mess, usually).

She's been an avid reader ever since she got her hands on a copy of Noddy Goes to Toytown when she was five, and she once tried to read everything in her local library starting with A and working her way through the alphabet.

She loves long hot summer days in the garden, and cold winter ones snuggled in front of the fire, but whatever the weather she's usually writing, or thinking about writing, with heartwarming romance and happy-ever-afters always on her mind.

Social Media Links – 

Website: https://www.lilacmills.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilacMills 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilacmillsauthor 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lilacmills 

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BLOG TOUR: The Missing Links of Tannadee - Maurice Gray

In this funny, uplifting novel, cocky billionaire Gordon Weever aims to become a clan chief in the Scottish Highlands. He has none of the credentials needed to claim the title, but he has no intention of letting that stop him, so he sets about creating his own credentials. He also plans to see off his rival and hires a pair of crooks to help him. The crooks though have problems of their own, only a little dog can help them. They need to get their hands on that dog, and an increasingly desperate Weever needs to get his hands on something that passes for real credentials. Standing in the way of Weever and the crooks is a plucky band of villagers who tackle them head on. 

What did I think?

The Missing Links of Tannadee is the second book in The Tannadee series, although I didn't realise this when I picked it up but you can definitely read it as a standalone as I really enjoyed it.

There is so much going on to entertain the reader from start to finish from a rescued dog that two bumbling crooks want to get their hands on to an entitled billionaire who fabricates his family history so he can become clan chief.  I didn't expect to find it so funny and I giggled and sniggered many times.

I loved all of the characters and naturally there were some I loved to hate but they are so well-developed that they virtually pop out of the page.  Gordon the billionaire is very annoying but I did laugh a lot at his antics and the two crooks are hilarious as they make Harry and Marv from Home Alone look smart.

Very entertaining and incredibly funny, The Missing Links of Tannadee has lots of laughs instore for its readers,  What a fabulous virtual visit to the Scottish Highlands!

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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COVER REVEAL: Yours For The Season - Emily Stone

I'm delighted to be taking part in the cover reveal for Yours For The Season by Emily Stone.  I can't wait to read it but let's have a look at the new cover, shall we?

Isn't it just stunning and so very festive?

Here's a little bit about the book:

This Christmas, in the romantic Scottish Highlands, a white lie and a fake-dating proposal between exes snowballs out of control in the brand-new festive romance from Emily Stone.

Christmas with your ex and his family in a cosy cottage in the snowy Scottish Highlands? It's the last place Mel imagined spending the holidays.

But when her ex-boyfriend Finn shows up on her doorstep, only months after inexplicably dumping her at his sister's engagement party, asking her to pretend to his family they're back together, she agrees - on one condition. Mel can publicly dump Finn at the end of the week and show him just how it feels.

But with Finn's mother set on making this Christmas picture-perfect, can Mel and Finn keep up the act without falling back into old feelings? As their white lie snowballs out of control, and the ice between them starts to thaw, Mel must decide if she really wants their romance to be just for the season - or something more...

Preorder link:

https://geni.us/a0tqMI

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BLOG TOUR: Eerie Exhibits - Victorial Williamson

Five unnerving tales of the weird and uncanny from award-winning author Victoria Williamson.

A room full of screaming butterflies.

An unsettling smile on the face of a carved sarcophagus.

A painting that draws its viewer into the disturbing past.

A stuffed bear that growls in the dead of night.

And a shell that whispers more sinister sounds than the sigh of the sea…

Dare you cross the threshold of the old Museum and view its eerie exhibits?

 

What did I think?

I do like to read spooky tales now and again so I thoroughly enjoyed Eerie Exhibits by Victoria Williamson.  

There are five stories in the book based on museum exhibits and although they are separate stories, some of the characters reappear.  They are very creepy tales and it reminded me a little of early Stephen King books where anything out of the ordinary could happen.  So prepare for the unexpected when you pick up this book but you will still be surprised by these eerie exhibits.

It's quite a short book at 225 pages and it's very easy to read so you could dip in and out of it or read it cover to cover.  It's almost like a virtual museum visit to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow as Victoria Williamson guides the reader through each gallery and tells her imagined story behind some very interesting exhibits.

Chilling, weird and entertaining, Eerie Exhibits is a creepy collection of spine-tingling short stories that will chill you to the bone.  A recommended read, especially for a dark and chilly night.

I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

Buy it from:

Amazon UK

Amazon USA

Amazon Canada

About the author:

A lifelong storyteller and daydreamer, Victoria Williamson is an author and teacher who has lived and worked in Africa, China, America and the UK.

Victoria grew up in Kirkintilloch, north Glasgow, surrounded by hills on the edge of a forest estate where many of her early ghost stories and fantasy tales were born amid the magical trees and spooky old ruined buildings.

After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real life adventures, which included teaching Maths and Science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with special needs in the UK.

A qualified primary school teacher with a degree in Mandarin Chinese from Yunnan University and a Master’s degree in Special Needs Education, Victoria is passionate about creating inclusive worlds in her novels where all children can see a reflection of themselves in a heroic role.

Victoria’s experiences of teaching young children in a deprived area of Glasgow, many of whom were asylum seekers, inspired her debut novel, The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, an uplifting tale of friendship between Glasgow girl Caylin and Syrian refugee Reema.

Victoria writes fantasy, adventure, science fiction and contemporary issue novels for Middle Grade (9-12), Teen, and Young Adult readers. Many of her books have been inspired by children she has met on her travels, both abroad and in the UK. She is currently working on a Middle Grade novel exploring the issues faced by a boy with ADHD who is struggling to fit in with his new step-family, and a spooky adventure novel for Teens, centred around a cast of characters with special needs including deafness, Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.

Twenty percent of her author royalties for The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle are donated to the Scottish Refugee Council.

You can find out more about Victoria's books, school visits and upcoming events on her website: www.strangelymagical.com 

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BLOG TOUR: The Weekenders (The Raskine House Trilogy Book 1) - David F. Ross

Glasgow, 1966: Stevie 'Minto' Milloy, former star footballer-turned-rookie reporter, finds himself trailing the story of a young Eastern European student whose body has been found on remote moorland outside the city. How did she get there from her hostel at the Sovereign Grace Mission, and why does Stevie find obstacles at every turn?

Italy, 1943: As the Allies fight Mussolini's troops, a group of young soldiers are separated from their platoon, and Glaswegian Jamesie Campbell, his newfound friend Michael McTavish at his side, finds himself free to make his own rules…

Glasgow, 1969: Courtroom sketch artist Donald 'Doodle' Malpas is shocked to discover that his new case involves the murder of a teenage Lithuanian girl he knows from the Sovereign Grace Mission. Why hasn't the girl's death been reported? And why is a young police constable suddenly so keen to join the mission?

No one seems willing to join the dots between the two cases, and how they link to Raskine House, the stately home in the Scottish countryside with a dark history and even darker present – the venue for the debauched parties held there by the rich and powerful of the city who call themselves 'The Weekenders'.

Painting a picture of a 1960s Glasgow in the throes of a permissive society, pulled apart by religion, corruption, and a murderous Bible John stalking the streets, The Weekenders is a snapshot of an era of turmoil – and a terrifying insight into the mind of a ruthless criminal…

 

What did I think?

The Weekenders is the first book in The Raskine House Trilogy and it's the first book by David F. Ross that I have read but I really enjoyed it.  It took me a while to get used to his unique writing style but I loved the colloquial Scottish prose that really brought the book to life.

The plot is razor sharp and I often grimaced at some of the darker scenes but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the page.  I was shocked so frequently that I might as well have been sitting in an electric chair and I don't mean in a prudish way, just the twists and turns that the story took.

You definitely have to have your wits about you when reading The Weekenders as it's very intricately plotted and feverishly fast-paced.  It does feel as if the characters are speaking to you in their broad Scottish accents making it very authentic and atmospheric.

Dark, gritty and highly original, The Weekenders is unlike anything I have ever read before and it's a great start to a new series.   

I received a digital ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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