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  • The Bookseller of Inverness

  • By: S.G. MacLean
  • Narrated by: David Monteath
  • Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (516 ratings)

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The Bookseller of Inverness

By: S.G. MacLean
Narrated by: David Monteath
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Summary

A gripping historical thriller set in Inverness in the wake of the 1746 battle of Culloden from twice CWA award-winning author S. G. MacLean. Perfect for fans of C. J. Sansom and Andrew Taylor.

After Culloden, 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 Jacobites. 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.

©2022 Shona MacLean (P)2022 Quercus Editions Limited
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What listeners say about The Bookseller of Inverness

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Fabulous book, edge of the seat suspense

This is a hugely enjoyable book, historical fiction without heaving bosoms and cod historical speech.
Fabulously researched and plotted I was reminded that although I know the broad brush elements of the time, I know so little of some of the minutiae.
It’s one of those books where I start to slow down nearing the end because I didn’t want it to finish.

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13 people found this helpful

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fascinating book

This enlightening work, albeit fiction, gives such an evocative account of the Jacobite uprisings and life in the Highlands, it is a gripping tale beautifully told.

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Fabulous

Just loved this book, well researched and atmospheric with brilliant narration.
Thoroughly recommend to anyone interested in the Jacobite uprisings - or even just wanting a well written, well constructed historical novel.

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Brilliant storytelling.

This is an insightful story based in the aftermath of the Jacobite rebellions. As well as a broad sweep of history, it’s full of suspense and humanity. A good listen!

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Absolutely loved it

One of the best books I’ve read (audiobooked) in years. A great mystery story set in the backdrop of the post Culloden Highlands

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A joy to listen to.

As a fan of Dorothy Dunnets Scots tales l found this to an absolute delight. I'm also grateful for the bibliography. The narrator is a favourite. He imbues the characters with so much personality,that I feel that I know them personally.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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the historical detail was very skillfully woven into the storyline.

i loved the references to so many familiar inverness places and features which made the whole bookcase alive.

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The most outstanding historical novel of 2022

You will not listen to a better historical novel this year. A brilliant story of a time unfamiliar to many, it combines excitement with erudition to an unusual degree. Highly recommended.

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5 people found this helpful

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wonderful story, brilliantly read

I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastic book. It is incredibly well written and well researched. I truly felt like I was in mid 18th century Church Street, and on a recent trip to Inverness tried to figure out where the bookshop would have stood! Looking forward to reading (or rather listening!) to more of Shona's books :-)

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2 people found this helpful

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Fantastic historical adventure

Loved every moment of this. S.G. MacLean is one of my favourite authors and writes stories of Scottish history reminiscent of RL Stevenson (but easier to follow).
I've learnt so much as well.!

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