A work of fiction so convincing that the first question the author is asked is, “Is it real?” It tells the (imaginary) story of a murder in a history of (allegedly) found objects, manuscripts, evidence statements and trial reports. The fact that it’s set in a real place (Culduie in Wester Ross, looking out towards Skye and Raasay) adds a further layer of realism. It’s a classic anti-hero styling, with the protagonist becoming more sympathetic the more is revealed about his less than complete honesty and the enormity of his crimes, that go way beyond what he himself admits. A gripping read.

5/5. Finished Saturday 24 November, 2018.

(Originally published on Goodreads.)