Turn of the Tide
This story is set in the south-west of Scotland between the years 1586-1591. Two families, the Cunninghames and the Mongomeries, are at feud, and have been for a hundred and fifty years. The hero of the story is Munro, who owes allegiance to the Cunninghames even though he dislikes the current clan leaders and discovers growing friendship with members of the Montgomerie family. Caught in the middle of what is essentially a small private war, Munro finds the situation both difficult and dangerous. His family life suffers and almost sunders his relationship with his wife, Kate. Murder and death comes close, and Munro must leave his family home. To avoid giving away the ending, I will only say that his plan to avoid being followed is masterly.
The writing is dense and with lots of dialect, most of which can be guessed at and understood by the average English speaker. The author did PhD research into the Scots-Ulster vernacular, so there is little doubt it is accurate. There is a two‑page glossary at the end of the book, which I wish I had discovered before I reached the end of the story! The research throughout has been thorough, and the depiction of 25-year-old King James VI of Scotland is interesting. No easy monarch he! But to his credit he did try to end the feud between the two families. The sheer villainy of some characters will take your breath away as you read this book, but I recommend it for your pleasure.