The Inheritance

Book one of the Secrets of the Shetlands deals with the turmoil that Whales Reef finds itself in. After the death of their laird, David (the chief) finds that the money has gone dry. Will the tiny island be able to support itself? How will the wool factory workers get paid? David discovers that there will be no income until the estate is resolved and it seems like that may be a while since they aren't sure who the true heir should be. Is it David, the chief, or Hardy, his mean foolish cousin? Life on the Scottish island tries to go on as normal, but everyone is worried. What will happen to their traditions and their heritage? Meanwhile, Loni, a 33 year old American is trying to come to terms with her life as an assistant in Washington. Should she focus on her career, her faith, her boyfriend, her past? She doesn't know, but she soon has some surprises coming her way. An inspirational read that will charm fans of Scottish small town living.

I received this book for free from Litfuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased review.

Morvern Callar

I don't know how I feel about this or what it was I just read.... This was a difficult read because I'm not Scottish. I don't know Scottish slang or shorthand and had to google phrases every other page (hint: greeting means crying... don't ask me why). The book is written as free flowing thought from the mind of a young twenty something Scottish gal. The book opens up with her finding the body of her boyfriend in her kitchen after he commits suicide. From there the book takes off into a weird spiral. After crying initially she leaves the body for a few days and chain-smokes and drinks her way through town with her best friend. She is the emotionally oddest character I have ever read. Beyond that there is: sex, raves, drugs, drunks, introductions to people with weird names, body disposal, and the horror of working at a shitty supermarket.

If you can handle reading Irvine Walsh (Trainspotting) and Scottish prose then I am sure you will love the book and understand what in the hell is going on. I finished it. It wasn't awful, but I'm still confused. Perhaps the movie adaptation will shed some light on what in the hell is going on. Not for light readers or those easily confused.