THE BEST OF SCOTTISH BOOKS

Take a trip to the expat community of the sun-drenched Spanish coast with Morgan Cry and the Daniella Coulstoun thrillers. With suspicious deaths, police corruption, gangland politics and Daniella caught in the middle, strap yourself in for a rollercoaster ride of coastal crime. These books are perfect summer reads for crime fans, set on Spain’s Costa Blanca with a colourful cast of double-crossing characters. A criminally good cocktail of sun, crime, escapism and dark humour.

‘Morgan Cry possesses that rare magic of being able to tell a dark tale with light humour’ – Deborah Masson

Titles included in this eBook bundle are: Thirty-One Bones; Six Wounds

A series of unique stories of hope and love set against a backdrop of political and family turmoil, this trilogy, beginning with The Art of Hearing Heartbeats, has been a smash hit across the globe, selling over one million copies. Set in Burma and spanning the decades between the 1950s and the present, join Sendker’s powerful cast of characters as they uncover tales of unimaginable hardship, resilience, and passion that will change their lives.

‘Sendker [is] a mesmerizing storyteller’ – Kirkus Reviews

Titles included in this bundle are: The Art of Hearing Heartbeats; A Well-Tempered Heart; The Heart Remembers

Discover the critically acclaimed Rebecca Connolly thrillers today. From the dark shores of the island of Stoirm to the stunning Scottish Highlands, to the streets of Glasgow and the moors of Culloden, join investigative reporter Rebecca Connolly as she delves into occult murders, family secrets and Scotland’s criminal underworld. For fans of thrilling murder mysteries with a visceral sense of place, look no further than Rebecca Connolly. Douglas Skelton is an accomplished crime writer with real investigative experience, and he has been longlisted for the McIllvanney Award for Scottish Crime Book of the Year.

‘Skelton writes grittily authentic crime novels . . . fast-paced and straight to the point – like a well-aimed literary projectile’ – Times Scotland

Titles included in this eBook bundle are: Thunder Bay; The Blood is Still; A Rattle of Bones; Where Demons Hide

This guidebook describes 30 day walks all over the Isles of Harris and Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides. The walks range from 2 and 14 miles (4 to 22km) in length, and are easily accessible from Stornaway or Tarbet. Routes vary from short strolls to long wilderness hikes, high-level and low-level, and include the An Cliseam horseshoe, visits to ancient historic monuments like the stone circles of Calanais and the famous Butt of Lewis lighthouse, all illustrated with OS 1:50,000 maps and dramatic photography. The routes take in most of the main summits as well as historical and geographical places of interest. A list of all the Marilyns (British hills of any height with a drop of at least 150m on all sides) on Harris, Lewis and St Kilda is included at the back. Tips are also included about walking on St Kilda, Berneray, Taransay, The Shiant Islands and The Flannan Isles, along with a short Gaelic glossary and route summary table, and advice on practicalities to make the most out of any walking trip on Harris and Lewis.

Scenic glens, dramatic mountains, postcard-pretty villages and bustling cities brimming with a rich cultural heritage, Scotland is as diverse as it is breathtaking. Make the most of your trip to Scotland with DK Eyewitness Top 10. Planning is a breeze with our simple lists of ten, covering the very best that Scotland has to offer and ensuring that you don’t miss a thing. Best of all, the pocket-friendly format is light and easily portable; the perfect companion while out and about.

Inside DK Eyewitness Top 10 Scotland you will find:

– Up-to-date information with insider tips and advice for staying safe.
– Top 10 lists of Scotland’s must-sees, including Edinburgh Castle, Isle of Skye, Loch Ness and the Cairngorms.
– Scotland’s most interesting areas, with the best places for sightseeing, food and drink, and shopping.
– Themed lists, including the best lochs, walking routes, whisky distilleries, festivals and events and much more.
– Easy-to-follow itineraries, perfect for a day trip, a weekend, or a week.
– A laminated pull-out map of the Scotland, plus nine full-colour area maps.

Looking for more on Scottish culture, history and attractions? Try our DK Eyewitness Scotland.

About DK Eyewitness: At DK Eyewitness, we believe in the power of discovery. We make it easy for you to explore your dream destinations. DK Eyewitness travel guides have been helping travellers to make the most of their breaks since 1993. Filled with expert advice, striking photography and detailed illustrations, our highly visual DK Eyewitness guides will get you closer to your next adventure. We publish guides to more than 200 destinations, from pocket-sized city guides to comprehensive country guides. Named Top Guidebook Series at the 2020 Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, we know that wherever you go next, your DK Eyewitness travel guides are the perfect companion.

Meet Hector Lawless. As a brilliant Edinburgh lawyer, Hector has a reputation for untangling the cases that no other lawyer can handle. But the obsessive-compulsive behaviour that’s made him a master of the law has also left Hector a pariah amongst his peers – a social outcast with crippling anxiety. The man with the perfectly ordered desk, the pristine notebooks, the strictly regimented working day and rituals that make sense only to him. When Hector is approached by his boss, Lord Campbell, with a highly sensitive case that reaches from one of Edinburgh’s most exclusive private schools to 10 Downing Street, he relishes the chance to bring true evil to justice. Hector must call on every one of the skills he has cultivated over a lifetime of being an outsider to survive. Justice will be served. The Penitent must accept their penance. As Hector’s enemies are about to discover, it really is the quiet ones you have to worry about.

One of Britain’s outstanding historical writers delivers a romantic and picaresque masterpiece that tells the fascinating story of William Neilson. In 1720, the young William Neilson leaves Edinburgh to make his fortune in Europe, first sailing to Rotterdam and then on foot to Paris, where he meets and is immediately employed by the banker John Law. A day later he is in the Bastille, but not before he has encountered a young woman of surpassing beauty to whom Neilson will be devoted for the rest of his life. Imprisoned in the Bastille, he has no possibility of seeing or communicating with his beloved. When at last he recovers his freedom, he is despatched at once to sea, bound for the Indies. He will be shipwrecked, become an equerry on the Île-de-France, anon command a disorderly legion in Persia, become a linguist able to hold his own in diplomatic and mercantile circles, all the while anticipating a summons from the Stuart king in exile in Rome, until he is sent back to France, and thence to Scotland in the service of the Young Pretender. This is brilliant, irresistibly entertaining fiction. A whole world of adventure and romance comes alive in the hands of one of our most ingenious storytellers, one of our finest writers.

* THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER *

‘An enthralling read’ GUARDIAN

‘A thrilling blend of fantasy and horror, richly imagined and masterfully executed’ SFX

‘Terrific . . . A book that creeps up on you, wearing brass knuckles’ CONN IGGULDEN

The first in a captivating new historical fantasy series, ORDINARY MONSTERS introduces the Talents with a catastrophic vision of the Victorian world, and the gifted, broken children who must save it. There in the shadows was a figure in a cloak, at the bottom of the cobblestone stair, and it turned and stared up at them as still and unmoving as a pillar of darkness, but it had no face, only smoke . . .1882. North of Edinburgh, on the edge of an isolated loch, lies an institution of crumbling stone, where a strange doctor collects orphans with unusual abilities. In London, two children with such powers are hunted by a figure of darkness – a man made of smoke. Charlie Ovid discovers a gift for healing himself through a brutal upbringing in Mississippi, while Marlowe, a foundling from a railway freight, glows with a strange bluish light. When two grizzled detectives are recruited to escort them north to safety, they are confronted by a sinister, dangerous force that threatens to upend the world as they know it. What follows is a journey from the gaslit streets of London to the lochs of Scotland, where other gifted children – the Talents – have been gathered at Cairndale Institute, and the realms of the dead and the living collide. As secrets within the Institute unfurl, Marlowe, Charlie and the rest of the Talents will discover the truth about their abilities and the nature of the force that is stalking them: that the worst monsters sometimes come bearing the sweetest gifts.

‘A dazzling mountain of wild invention, Dickensian eccentrics, supernatural horrors and gripping suspense’ JOE HILL

‘Expansive in scope and storytelling, Ordinary Monsters builds an electrifying Victorian world’ CARI THOMAS

Sing Auld Lang Syne while you climb to the top of a Castle. Wave to a Highland cow in John O’Groats. Put on a Kilt and avoid those Midgies as you visit a Loch to meet Nessie. Then speed back over the Forth Bridge to Edinburgh Zoo — not forgetting your Umbrella!

Take a whistle-stop tour through the Scottish alphabet! Each letter from A to Z represents the best of everything Scottish: beautiful landscapes, fascinating history and amazing wildlife. Just watch out for the weather!

This charming and fun book is perfect for locals and visitors alike, as illustrator Kate Davies fills each page with humorous Scottish details. Featuring one word per letter, it’s ideal for younger children to enjoy.

A thwarted thespian must use his talents to save his flock from a woolly situation in this hilarious gem from bestselling children’s author Ross Montgomery. William the lamb just can’t stand still. His feet are always tapping, ready to dance, and he loves nothing more than bursting into song. But his talents aren’t always appreciated at Sheep School. Cast out of the flock, he wanders miserably away only to witness the rest of the sheep being captured by the Big Bad Wolf. Can William find a way to put his artistic skills to use to save the day?

A picture book edition of a much-loved classic, with illustrations by award-winning artist, Robert Ingpen. This timeless tale has never been out of print and is one of the best-loved children’s titles in English literature. Kenneth Grahame’s wonderful imagination and quiet humour continue to charm children and adults alike, and Robert Ingpen’s stunning illustrations bring to life the adventures of Toad, Mole, Ratty and Badger. When the Mole leaves his spring-cleaning and heads up into the open air, he embarks on a series of exhilarating adventures with his new friends: the laid-back Ratty, the gruff yet kindly Badger and the self-satisfied, irrepressible Mr. Toad. The impulsive Toad leads the friends from one escapade to the next – from upturned gypsy caravans to stolen motorcars, a daring prison escape and, finally, to a heroic confrontation with the sinister inhabitants of the Wild Wood. Now retold in picture book form by Karen Saunders – with stunning artwork by Robert Ingpen.

Don Colyear has made the transition from his role as a Community Police Sergeant to a new position in Edinburgh’s CID, but the adjustment has not been easy. The workload and paperwork are one thing but being micro-managed by DCI Templeton as well is more than testing. And when Colyear’s investigation into a mysterious death spirals into a complicated case centred on a massive consignment of Class A drugs, a double murder and a clash between low-level and professional criminals, his instincts are put to the test.

A little sausage dog discovers that she has strengths of her very own in this adorable gem from bestselling author Pip Jones, perfect for dog lovers. Peggy the sausage dog feels really sad when she finds she’s too small to really compete with the other dogs at puppy school. Her little legs and long body make it hard for her to jump high or run very fast. But when one of her school friends has a dangerous fall, it’s Peggy who comes to the rescue, proving that heroes come in all different sizes!

Anthony Burgess was an energetic writer and composer, but his work for the stage is not as well known as it deserves to be. In Two Plays, we see him tackling major monuments of French and Russian theatre: The Miser by Molière and Chatsky by Alexander Griboyedov.

Miser, Miser! is a bold reworking of Molière’s classic comedy of 1668. Harpagon the miser is hoarding a pile of gold, which he has buried in his garden. As he tries to sell off his daughter, catch himself a beautiful young bride, and outwit his scheming household of clever servants, the comedy of errors intensifies. Although the original French play is written in prose, Burgess remakes it in a mixture of verse and prose, in the style of his famous adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac. This translation, discovered in the author’s archive, is the work of a writer working at the height of his powers. It is an attempt to reinvent Molière for modern audiences.

Chatsky, subtitled ‘The Importance of Being Stupid’ is another verse comedy. The theme is that of the intellectual hero who rebels against the smug, philistine society in which he finds himself. First performed in 1833, Griboyedov’s play was so heavily cut by Russian censors that it was barely recognisable. The play is a virtuoso vehicle for male actors, and the source of many famous quotations. It is also notoriously difficult to translate. In Chatsky, Burgess remakes a classic Russian play in the spirit of Oscar Wilde. It is a great feast of language and invective.

The complete texts of both plays are published here for the first time.  Two Plays confirms Anthony Burgess’s reputation as a gifted writer for the stage, and as a translator of great wit and sophistication.

Ruby’s dad has arrived home with a wonderful surprise – Coco the sausage dog puppy! And when the family go on holiday to the seaside, of course Coco will be coming too. The beach is a thrilling place for a dog – so many sights, smells and holes to dig! Ruby and Coco can’t wait to spend the day splashing in the waves and playing in the sand. But disaster strikes when Coco disappears. Suddenly she’s lost and all alone on the huge, busy beach … Will she ever find her way back to Ruby?

Worldwide bestseller Holly Webb makes her Barrington Stoke debut with a truly adorable sausage-dog tale!

Crumbs on the counter, morsels on the floor – there should be plenty of food for Minetta the mouse to eat in Hollyhock House …

But the Ruling Rats are running rampage every night, taking the best of everything for themselves. Minetta has decided that enough is enough ? it?s time the rats learn to share. The trouble is, Minetta is so small and her voice just a squeak. How will she ever make them listen …?

A gorgeous Little Gem about finding the courage to make your voice heard from Pip Jones the award-winning author of Izzy Gizzmo.

Dimple the gnome is upset and he doesn’t know how to talk about it – but then along comes the Boo … A charming new Gem from the bestselling author of Squishy McFluff.

Oh dear, Dimple the Gnome is having a very bad day and he just can’t find the right words to tell anyone how he’s feeling. Then Dimple finds the Boo, who lets everyone know what’s going on. But the Boo’s rude words and naughty noises just get Dimple into trouble. Can Dimple find another way to express himself?

A humorous novel by Joseph & Laura T. BakerWhen a group of guys and girls meet at the psychology department of Edinburgh University while pursuing postgraduate studies, romantic, satirical, and exciting events unfold. The characters, some of whom are therapists themselves, find themselves in all kinds of psychological dilemmas.There?s Gabriella who is always about to mercilessly break up with someone whom she was madly in love with less than a week ago. She wanted to quit even after she graduated. There?s George who is an American intellectual searching for the perfect girl, the dream job, and his Irish roots. Anna is a Russian princess ? or at least that?s what she thinks ? studying psychotherapy to help everyone but most importantly herself. Ilenia is an artist who doesn?t know why she?s here. Then there?s Tom who is obsessed with the adverse effects of religions on people?s psyche. Andrew strives for a world where people don?t suffer because of who they are – but that doesn?t include any of the people he despises. Sara would rather party every night than touch a book.They fell in love with the city, and every night brings a story that begs to be told.

The Highland Clearances was a dark episode in Scottish history when many thousands of people were forced off lands that they and their kin had lived on for generations. Some boarded ships destined for the colonies of America and Australia, others ended up on small barren plots by the coast or in city slums. A few men were outspoken against the atrocities, and one of them was Donald Ross.Donald Ross was a Highlander, born in Sutherland in 1813. His father was the miller on the Skibo Castle Estate and Donald took over the mill when his father died. He and his family were subsequently evicted, fighting against their eviction in the Supreme Court but losing the case. Donald moved to Glasgow and within two years, as Agent for the Poor, helped over 1,500 people receive poor-relief payments, which were being withheld by local parish boards. In the 1850s Donald became the most outspoken critic of the Highland Clearances and wrote many detailed newspaper articles and pamphlets about mass evictions on Barra, Knoydart and Skye. His most famous publication was The Massacre of the Rosses, in which he graphically described the women of Strathcarron being brutally beaten by policemen for refusing to accept eviction notices. Donald supplied over 8,000 books and pamphlets for emigrants on the ill-fated Hercules. He also raised a lot of money to help poor people in the Hebrides, particularly during the infamous Potato Famine. However, Donald?s efforts were cut short by a scandal that saw him and his family emigrate to Nova Scotia.Donald?s inspirational story makes him an unsung hero of the poor.

‘The legendary Quintin Jardine . . . such a fine writer’ DENZIL MEYRICK

Amidst a family celebration, a cataclysmic storm uncovers long-buried horrors – and a team of detectives struggle to solve a thirty-year-old double murder. The police are also searching two countries for traces of a mysterious crime novelist who appears to have vanished. Has the faking of his own death been his masterpiece?

Alongside each inquiry as it evolves is former Chief Constable Sir Robert Skinner, relishing his new role as a media magnate, but drawn into reluctant action and towards a chilling discovery of his own.With evil on one hand and intrigue on the other, will Skinner escape with either his integrity or career intact . . . or is it open season on him?

Praise for Quintin Jardine’s Bob Skinner series:

‘Scottish crime-writing at its finest, with a healthy dose of plot twists and turns, bodies and plenty of brutality’ SUN

‘Well constructed, fast-paced, Jardine’s narrative has many an ingenious twist and turn’ OBSERVER