Iain and his family fought for the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden but now he tries to live a quieter life as the proprietor of a bookshop. His family still believe in the cause though and do what they can to support it without drawing attention to themselves under the watch of the occupying British army. When a man is found dead in Iain’s shop and his father Hector, who he believed dead, appears back in Inverness, it is clear that the war is not over. Iain and Hector set out to discover who remained loyal to the Jacobites throughout the uprisings and who may have been a traitor.

Although many clans picked a side and stuck to it,there were several clans who switched sides throughout the risings, as the clan chiefs fought for whichever side would offer them the best rewards. Mostly men supported the side they were fighting for, but not always, as they were forced to show allegiance to their clan chief, whichever side he was on. Much as today, where neighbours and family members can be on different sides of the political divide, so happened then. The difference was, it was far more dangerous in those days, and being on the wrong side could cost you your life.

I enjoyed reading about life in occupied Scotland following the 1745 uprising. I found it fascinating that Jacobites and Hanoverians would live side by side and the tensions this caused. It was also interesting to hear the hopes of the Jacobites (which came to naught) that another attempt would be made to put the prince on the throne.

The author has researched thoroughly and included many factual recollections throughout the book. There is no doubt that this book is well written, but I found it difficult to follow all of the intrigue and double crossing which went on. I also found it odd, considering the depth of feeling that Iain and Hector had for the Jacobite cause and family loyalty, that upon discovering who the final traitor was, that they would choose to let that person live.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what a book!!

Prepare to be immersed in the clans of 1700s Inverness, in the years following the battle of Culloden. This is my first book by MacLean but certainly wont be the last. She is a master story-teller, weaving fact and fiction creating an intriguing mystery that had me guessing right to it's conclusion. There was a perfect balance between plot and character development and I confess that I bloody adored the fierceness of Mairi and the heart of Ian - actually, I loved almost every character; MacLean really brought their quirks and mannerisms to life and I could perfectly imagine them all.

I'd highly recommend for fans of historical fiction and lovers of all things Scottish.

Set at a time after the battle of Culloden. Fact and fiction combine to show how the Jacobites were treated by the Redcoats. The passion has not been beaten out of the Jacobites and a new uprising is planned. Iain MacGillivay and his family will find traitors and murder will bring out old secrets. Well crafted characters keep you entertained with a bonus of the historical settings.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have read and enjoyed this authors previous books namely the “ Seeker” series and before that the Alexander Seaton books so when it was announced that she had written a new historical mystery book “The Bookseller Of Inverness” I was very excited. The author has a very impressive reputation for the excellence of her research and as a niece of the late Alistair MacLean who could doubt her credentials.

After Culloden, on 16th April 1746, Iain MacGillivray was left for dead on Drumossie Moor. Wounded, his face brutally slashed, he survived only by pretending to be dead as the Redcoats patrolled the corpses of his Jacobite comrades.

Six years later, with the clan chiefs routed and the Highlands subsumed into the British state, Iain lives a quiet life, working as a bookseller in Inverness. One day, after helping several of his regular customers, he notices a stranger lurking in the upper gallery of his shop, poring over his collection. But the man refuses to say what he's searching for and only leaves when Iain closes for the night.

The next morning Iain opens up shop and finds the stranger dead, his throat cut, and the murder weapon laid out in front of him - a sword with a white cockade on its hilt, the emblem of the Jacobite's. With no sign of the killer, Iain wonders whether the stranger discovered what he was looking for - and whether he paid for it with his life. He soon finds himself embroiled in a web of deceit and a series of old scores to be settled in the ashes of war.
For readers of historical crime book, particularly of the quality of the C J Sansom 'Shardlake' series I am sure that you will enjoy this. There is the same depth of knowledge of period knowledge throughout the book which gives the right level of historical authenticity without slowing the story down.

Hopefully the author has many more ideas for similar books to come as I enjoyed this one immensely. Strongly recommended.

I always know I'm going to learn something new when I read a S.G McLean novel as there's plenty of researches and the historical background is always detailed and vivid.
I knew something about Culloden and the Raisings as I'm a fan of Outlander but this book made me understand what was the aftermath and how people were affected.
As for Prince Bonnie Charles it's a fun story as his wife belonged to the family of my former German teacher and I can say I wasn't one of his fan when I was a teenager.
It's a historical mystery but it's also a description of what happen when you are on the losing side and how the situation is still uncertain.
Ian is a survivor of Culloden, his face is scarred. His entire family is supporting Prince Bonnie Charles.
His granmother and her friends are great characters, strong ladies that I loved. I found all the women in this book interesting as they were affected by the history losing their freedom or worse.
The plot is well done, gripping and kept me turning pages. There's a lot of twists, secrets, and the history is a sort of character, not only the background.
I hope this is the first in a series because I liked Ian and loved the Grand Dames.
I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine

Brutally injured, Iain McGillviray survived the Battle of Culloden by pretending to be dead, lying next to the dead body of his beloved cousin on Drumossie Moor. His father was never seen again after the battle, so was also presumed dead amongst the more than 1200 Jacobites who died that day. The aftermath of Culloden was brutal with many Jacobites, and suspected Jacobites, executed or transported to North America or the Caribbean to be sold into indentured service. Iain was captured by Government forces and transported to Virginia where he was fortunate to have friends who bought his indenture. He eventually made his way back to Inverness, where he aimed to live a quiet life, opening a bookshop, with an assistant, Richard Dempster, and bookbinder, crusty old Donald Mor.

Following the loss at Culloden, many women were also sold by their clan chiefs to pay off their debts to the government and sent into indentured service in America. Ishbel MacLeod, the confectioner whose shop is near Iain’s, is one such woman, who has returned to Scotland after seven years service as cook to a family, bringing with her a lively half caste child called Tormod who captured everybody’s hearts (even crusty old Donald Mor).

With his badly damaged face Iain found it difficult to court women and had given up any thought of a family of his own in the future. His grandmother Mairi Farquharson brought him up when his mother ran away to France when he was a child and he still lived in her house. A staunch Jacobite, Mairi was known in Inverness as one of the Grande Dames, three elderly women and inveterate Jacobite rebels, who seemed to know everything that was going on in their town.

Iain’s quiet life is disrupted when a stranger comes to his shop and searches frantically for a book. The following day Iain opens up his shop to find the stranger dead on the floor, with his throat cut. Soon Iain finds himself launched back into danger and intrigue, looking for the missing book which is rumoured to contain the names of Jacobite traitors as those around him plot for the return of their prince from exile once again.

This is brilliantly researched and written history blended with gripping fiction. The sights and sounds of Inverness were vividly brought to life with everyone still tense and treading carefully under the watch of Government forces and the beauty and ruggedness of the Highlands also made for a very atmospheric background. I loved the characters of Iain, Mairi, Ishbel and Tormod and would be thrilled if they were to appear again in a sequel.

There is a lot (A LOT) going on in this novel. Brilliantly researched, the history of the Jacobean uprisings against the Hanoverians is something we definitely don't learn about in school, yet has repercussions even to today. It's a fascinating period in British history and really well presented here - and blimey, the victors were horrific. There are a lot of characters, and it took me a little while to get them all ordered in my head (and I am not sure I truly succeeded) but the plotlines are strong, so that bit matters not so much. A great read, with tragedy, betrayal, heroism and all the usual complications of family, magnified by war and espionage and the ever-present threat of arrest, and execution. Loved it.

*Many thanks to S.G. Maclean, Quercus Books, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Historical fiction that takes you back to mid-18th century Scotland where loyalties between supporters of the Hanoverian king and the exiled James Stuart are divided.
The plot revolves around a revenge that has deep roots and is quite interesting. I think the characters are well-developed although they do not change as the novel progresses. The best bit for me was learning about the uprisings against the Hanovarian dynasty. The author did an excellent job regarding research and while reading I often googled the pictures and maps to find out more about the complicated history of Scotland.
Overall, a good read with emphasis on history so it will be appreciated by history fans.

I loved this book! It is historical fiction of the best kind for me because it is interspersed with historical facts too. The battle of Culloden (the Jacobite rising) was a real event and Lord Simon Fraser of Lovat (the old fox) was a real person, to name just a couple of examples. I think the inclusion of well research historical facts give the story more believability and make me engage with it more.
There is a lot to take in at the beginning, which might be difficult for some to follow, but I’m fascinated by this time period, I live not too far from Inverness and I am a Fraser of Scottish heritage by birth, so I was just soaking it all in.
The protagonist, Iain, was a really well developed character and I quickly became invested in him. I also liked the writing style of the author, so I will definitely be looking out for more of their books.
Overall this was a great book that I would definitely recommend.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review.

Iain MacGillivray survived the Battle of Culloden by pretending to be dead, although he sustained slashes to his face as the victorious troops ransacked the dead troops afterwards.
Iain now keeps a bookshop in Inverness,and tries to keep a low profile. A man visits his shop searching for books that belonged to Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, a prominent Jacobite and turncoat,who was executed by the English. When that same man is found dead in the bookshop and the weapon is a dirk, bearing a white cockade tied to it, a Jacobite symbol, Iain becomes involved in secrets involving family members and their loyalties to a defeated pretender to the throne.Iain starts looking for a book of forbidden names, that may contain the names of traitors who may have spied for the English,and he becomes aware of how deeply his family are connected to the Jacobite cause. His family are still involved in plans to put Bonnie Prince Charles on the throne, and traitors need to be reckoned with.
Fact and fiction come together nicely in this story. The atmosphere of the battle , the atrocities on the battlefield and revenge attacks upon the Jacobite followers are well described, they were brutal and unforgiving. Poverty and imprisonment followed, and some families went into exile.
An enthralling read. Familiar place names are all the better when viewed in real life, some are so very poignant , a real sense of history is being conveyed. Iain evokes sympathy for his treatment both in battle and by his family, ignorance of events is not always for the best.
A fast moving story, full of intrigue and treachery, history comes to life in a very readable account.
Loved the previous series by this author, more of this one please!
My thanks to Quercus books and Netgalley for my advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review. A five star read.

‘To the King over the Water.’

After an introductory note setting the scene for the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1745, the novel opens with two prologues. The first, set in London in May 1716 deals with an escape of Jacobite prisoners from Newgate. The second, takes us to Drummossie Moor on the 16th of April 1746. Iain MacGillivray lies injured on the moor after the battle of Culloden. He survives by pretending to be dead as Cumberland’s redcoated soldiers patrol the moor.

Six years later, in 1752, Iain MacGillivray is a bookseller in Inverness. He leads a quiet life. The Jacobite rebellions may have been crushed, but the King over the Water still has many supporters. One day, after serving several of his regular customers, Iain notices a man searching through the books in the upper gallery of his shop. The man will not say what he is looking for, and only leaves when Iain closes the shop for the night.

‘The white cockade, the most recognisable of all the Jacobite symbols, …’

The next morning, after opening the shop, Iain finds the stranger dead. His throat has been cut. A sword is laid in front of him: it has a white cockade tied to its hilt. Who killed him, and why?

Reluctantly, Iain is pulled into the past. His father, whom he has not seen for years, a close confidante of Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Teàrlach Eideard in Scots Gaelic) appears in Inverness. What unfolds is a complicated web of intrigue as supporters of the prince seek his return as well as revenge on those they perceive to be traitors. There is a huge cast of characters, both real and fictional. I especially liked the bookbinder Donald Mór, Ishbel MacLeod and her boy Tormod.

I really enjoyed this novel. My ancestors fought on the Jacobite side at Culloden, and I find the history both tragic and fascinating. If you have any interest in this period of history, then I recommend this novel. It is the first of Ms MacLean’s novels I have read: I’ll be adding her others to my reading list.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Iain MacGillivray has had a difficult life. Six years ago, he was left for dead, his face brutally slashed, after the battle of Culloden. Now, in 1752, he is trying to live a quiet life in Inverness, keeping himself to himself and running a bookshop. But his life is not going to remain peaceful for long.
Scotland is no safe place for a Jacobite, but it is about to get a lot more dangerous. When a customer in his shop is found dead, stabbed in the neck, in the bookshop, there is a white cockade on the hilt of the weapon – the symbol of the Jacobites. But what was the man looking for in the shop, and did he find it? As Iain’s father, a spy for the exiled Jacobite monarch, returns, more bodies are found – but what do the victims have in common, and can Iain prevent the killer from completing their list?
The Bookseller of Inverness is the first book in a new series from S G Maclean. Her previous books involved Alexander Seaton in 1630s Aberdeen and the Damian Seeker books set during Cromwell’s regime (is that the right word when there isn’t a king?). Now we’re jumping forward a century and back to Scotland. I’ve read two of the Seeker books and enjoyed them. They both had whodunit plots but were primarily multi-layered historical thrillers with interesting characters and an astonishing eye for historical detail.
This one? Well, it’s got a whodunit plot but is primarily a multi-layered historical thriller with interesting characters and an astonishing eye for historical detail.
The historical detail could have been a real challenge, given that the 18th century basically didn’t happen according to my school curriculum. Even now, if you’d asked me who was on the British thrown during Culloden… hang on, I’ll check with Professor (promoted from Mrs) Puzzle Doctor. Balls, she got it right, but even she had to think about it… Basically, the Jacobites saw James Stuart as the rightful heir, but the Hanoverians who were on the throne disagreed. So the redcoats are in charge in Scotland but the Jacobites aren’t desperately happy about it, with the redcoats seen by some almost as an occupying force.
The story primarily revolves around a list of names that was hidden in a book and the efforts to locate the people on that list before they too get murdered. The story takes its time, building up various subplots that you are never quite sure will dovetail directly into the murder plot or not, as well as looking at Iain’s personal life or lack thereof. However the various strands are never dull and adds layer upon layer to the story, all of which builds to a very satisfying conclusion.
One thing that I would say is that Iain does spend a lot of time playing support to his father, Hector, rather than taking the lead in his own book – one of the most gripping sections involves Iain trying to retrieve a copy of the book from the heart of a Hanoverian stronghold by himself – but almost all of the deductions and revelations are left to his father. Here’s hoping Iain takes more of a lead in the action in the next book in the series, as I’ll definitely be reading it to see what happens next.
Many thanks to Quercus for the review copy. The Bookseller Of Inverness is out now in hardback and as an ebook.

That is a book perfect for anyone with any interest in Scotland's history. Of course, it's historical fiction but very well researched, rich with interesting details and great explanations at the end of the book of what was fictional, what was not, what and who inspired the author, and - for those who would like to know more about the history of described events, city etc - references to the books worth reading.
The book's setting takes place in Inverness and surrounding areas in Scotland after Culloden and has equal parts of history, adventures, family drama and a bit of mystery going on, which is smartly woven together in the story, which is not only a testament to the people who lived, fought both their own personal and political battles, but also a nod to the author's family and hometown. It's epic.

Iain McGillivray leads an uncomplicated life as a bookseller in Inverness. When he sees a stranger urgently searching for something amongst the shelves and refusing to leave until closing time, he gets irritated but does not think much about it. Until the opening time the following day, when he finds the man dead inside the shop. This incident starts a series of events connected to Iain’s turbulent past and the political situation in contemporary Scotland.

MacLean’s book is an excellent example of a well-written and researched historical fiction. My knowledge of the conflict between Stuart and Hanover supporters, especially from the point of view of the Scottish Highlanders, is limited, but the author created a believable, detailed and fascinating world. He also supplied an extensive reading list for those seeking biographical or historical knowledge. The importance of local politics for the novel’s plot made me worried that the book would become overwhelming, but that never happened. The necessary information is supplied in an accessible form, and the intrigue keeps the reader’s interest peaked.

In general, The Bookseller of Inverness is historicalfiction at its best, and I would recommend it to all fans of the genre.

SG MacLean is an autobuy author for me. Her historical novels always manage to combine excellent research with a cracker of a story. It’s such a talent and I’ve no idea how she does it but has certainly done it again for Bookseller of Inverness.

Set in Inverness and the surrounding countryside in 1752, it tells the story of the remnants of the Jacobite cause. Iain MacGillivray, the bookseller of the title, fought and was left for dead at Culloden. His family have been lifelong prominent supporters of Prince Charlie. Nowadays though Iain is looking for a quiet life selling books. It’s not to be. His father, who Iain has not seen in some years and who is a close confidante of the Prince and his court, turns up in Inverness around the same time a man turns up dead in Ians bookshop.

As the story unfolds , the book explains the various intrigues and connections surrounding the Jacobite cause across the years. This is never ‘heavy’ though and gives the reader enough to understand without burdening them with the weight of history.

Like I said the book has been well researched and it is evident the author knows the areas featured well - not just the city of Inverness but the surrounding hills, glens and features too. If you are interested in the research or seeing some of the places in the book then Shona posted quite a few of the locations on her Twitter feed around the second half of July.

The use of Gaelic in conversation and in names was an authentic touch as it would have been (and still is) in common usage in the Highlands and indeed is on the rise across Scotland - a current learner right here. Very much enjoyed the character of Donald Mòr the grumpy book binder who speaks almost exclusively in Gaelic and has time for nobody but a soft spot for the young Tormod.

Special shout out for the fiddle battle scene which was exquisitely described and delighted to learn of the existence of a place called Shewglie - one of my favourite Scots words

The story has all the elements - intrigue, twists and a touch of romance - and MacLean weaves fact and fiction together wonderfully to produce a highly enjoyable read.

Huge thanks to Quercus & NetGalley for the chance to read an early copy.

An engrossing historical story woven around the Scots and the aftermath of the Battle of Colloden. Full of clever and quirky characters and a wonderful touch of mystery. For readers who like C J Sansom and Ken Follett. Excellent!

Iain MacGillivray survived the Battle of Culloden six years ago, when the Duke of Cumberland -nicknamed the Butcher- mercilessly crushed the Jacobites during the 1746 uprising. His face was badly injured and he’s still traumatised by the death of his cousin and best friend Lachlan. Iain now keeps his head down and runs a bookshop in Inverness. One day, a man comes into the shop rummaging through the old books of the ‘old fox’ – Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat. The next morning he finds the same man murdered in the shop, with the symbol of the Jacobites stabbed under the knife.

This is my first book by Maclean and I was particularly curious about it because it’s set after Culloden. We meet Iain who owns a bookshop with some regular customers, but suddenly there’s an unknown man looking for Lord Lovat’s books. That man is later murdered and it seems that there’s a link with the Jacobites, especially when Iain’s father – who was supposed dead – turns up on his doorstep.

Iain’s family has been fighting for Bonnie Prince Charlie for years and was also involved in the 1715 Rebellion, during which Iain’s grandfather was executed in London. His grandmother is still a great fighter for the cause, but after Culloden Iain’s enthusiasm for the Jacobite cause had cooled down.

The book contains quite a lot of characters and it was not easy to follow in the beginning. Besides the murder, there’s a lot to tell about what happened six years ago and in the previous rebellions. This makes it a bit complex at times, luckily I already knew the history a bit.

Because of this, the mystery is not so much about finding a murderer, but rather about some old secrets that come up again after all those years. I guessed quite early on who the murderer was and by the end I had more or less figured out why.

In terms of style and plot, it was not quite my thing. There’s also the side perspective of Lady Rose, but I did not really understand the added value of her story. Maclean did a good job exploring the time period, it’s just not a story that grabbed me. I also don’t know if the author is planning a sequel, but I’m not inclined to read it at the moment.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

It took me a while to get into The Bookseller of Inverness. There’s a huge cast of characters and a lot of backstory squeezed into the opening chapters. Even the prologue is in two parts, thirty years apart. I have to admit, if I wasn’t a massive fan of Maclean’s Seeker novels, I probably wouldn’t have persevered. Eventually, though, the story gets going, with strong characterisation, a twisty plot and some great set-piece scenes. The backdrop is a brilliantly portrayed insight into the aftermath of Culloden and the impact of defeat on the Highland Jacobites, full of stories of cruelty, courage and conflict.
*
I received a copy of The Bookseller of Inverness from the publisher.

I had trouble understanding what was going on at the beginning of the book, especially the prologue.

Eventually I got into the story and really enjoyed it. I loved the timeline it was set in I love historical stories. I liked Iain the best.

An engrossing historical mystery set in Inverness, a few years after the battle of Culloden. A Jacobite bookseller finds himself drawn into a series of mysterious killings linked to a book from his shop. This is a well-researched novel and I found the historical aspects very interesting. The book was very atmospheric with great characters. The emphasis of the book is the characters and the historical setting rather than on the mystery, although there are a number of interesting twists in the story. A we[[-paced story that is very entertaining.