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Hew Cullan Mystery #1
Hue and Cry
1579, St. Andrews. A thirteen-year old boy meets his death on the streets of the university city of St. Andrews and suspicion falls upon one of the regents at the university, Nicholas Colp. Hew Cullan, a young lawyer recently returned home from Paris, uncovers a complex tale of passion and duplicity, of sexual desire in tension with the repressive atmosphere of the Protestant Kirk and the austerity of the academic cloister.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
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678 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Mckay
13 books43 followersShirley McKay was born in Tynemouth but now lives with her family in Fife. At the age of fifteen she won the Young Observer playwriting competition, her play being performed at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs. She went on to study English and Linguistics at the University of St Andrews before attending Durham University for postgraduate study in Romantic and seventeenth century prose. She was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger. Shirley works as a freelance proofreader.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
January 31, 2014
Inescapably I thought of the Matthew Shardlake mystery I read last year – lured by what I’d heard of its dirty streets of 16th century England, C.J. Sansom’s sensory evocation of setting. Here I am in 16th century Scotland, in a novel written first to evoke time and place, with a gritty detailed realism, that stands your hair on end. I’ll go on with my Shardlakes but I found this one even more effective, and Hew Cullan has jumped the queue.
The writing is a joy. I notice in the author biography she did postgrad study in seventeenth-century prose; she knows how to write the sixteenth century into her sentences – without being difficult, but with an authenticity achieved. She does a shifting point-of-view that textures the novel, that makes people come alive – she enters their consciousness, and when they’re in an extreme experience, her impressionistic writing can get it across. It’s like a milder dose of what Robert Low did in The Lion Wakes (also very Scottish). In short I’ll read anything written like this, mystery or whatever.
I found the story strong. Who did what just isn’t what matters; I’m a bad guesser at mysteries and didn’t foresee much; it was a story about the university, and the kirk, and the society of St Andrews; and it was well-ended. Ends are hard to do. When I say it’s toe-curling – I had a real sense of horror, the more so because she can be understated – it’s not one of those ‘nasty, brutish and short’ books, but about a struggling humanity. Hew is too humane for his profession of the law. Can he and his friends save society’s victims? That is the question, and I cared.
The writing is a joy. I notice in the author biography she did postgrad study in seventeenth-century prose; she knows how to write the sixteenth century into her sentences – without being difficult, but with an authenticity achieved. She does a shifting point-of-view that textures the novel, that makes people come alive – she enters their consciousness, and when they’re in an extreme experience, her impressionistic writing can get it across. It’s like a milder dose of what Robert Low did in The Lion Wakes (also very Scottish). In short I’ll read anything written like this, mystery or whatever.
I found the story strong. Who did what just isn’t what matters; I’m a bad guesser at mysteries and didn’t foresee much; it was a story about the university, and the kirk, and the society of St Andrews; and it was well-ended. Ends are hard to do. When I say it’s toe-curling – I had a real sense of horror, the more so because she can be understated – it’s not one of those ‘nasty, brutish and short’ books, but about a struggling humanity. Hew is too humane for his profession of the law. Can he and his friends save society’s victims? That is the question, and I cared.
June 29, 2016
I've read quite a few medieval detective stories and this was on a par with most of them. The only series that stood out to me were the CJ Sansom Shardlake series and the Matthew Bartholomew series by Susannah Gregory. This was quite good but I don't know if I'll ever be inclined to continue the series. I liked the comic relief of Hew's horse Dun Scottis: definitely the best character!
November 1, 2021
‘May I observe,’ Hew said pleasantly, ‘that if you mean to use that cudgel on my horse, then I shall have to wrap it round your neck. Which would prejudice our friendship, don’t you think?’
Intricate, engaging historical fiction. Readers are deeply immersed into sixteenth-century Scotland, without the impossible to decipher dialects which often plague such stories. Humor.
‘Remind me, Giles, why we are friends.’
‘You for the sake of my wit, and I for the sake of your sister.’
‘What?’
Everyone has their own agenda and, even when they’re trying to help one another, they are often at cross purposes. Pretty normal. Like at Bard, most of McKay’s action is off stage and described by witnesses.
Sadly, it is the way of our world that we perceive corruption in the purest heart, and see wickedness where it was never meant.’
Lame denouement. It’s only rationale is that it connects to an actual historical event. Still, it was a too convenient solution to Hew’s dilemma.
Stay awhile and show yourself. Else I must think you like the king who sweeps us up and sets us down like pieces on a board but does not really care how he disposes us.’
Intricate, engaging historical fiction. Readers are deeply immersed into sixteenth-century Scotland, without the impossible to decipher dialects which often plague such stories. Humor.
‘Remind me, Giles, why we are friends.’
‘You for the sake of my wit, and I for the sake of your sister.’
‘What?’
Everyone has their own agenda and, even when they’re trying to help one another, they are often at cross purposes. Pretty normal. Like at Bard, most of McKay’s action is off stage and described by witnesses.
Sadly, it is the way of our world that we perceive corruption in the purest heart, and see wickedness where it was never meant.’
Lame denouement. It’s only rationale is that it connects to an actual historical event. Still, it was a too convenient solution to Hew’s dilemma.
Stay awhile and show yourself. Else I must think you like the king who sweeps us up and sets us down like pieces on a board but does not really care how he disposes us.’
September 5, 2011
I thought it was a smashing read, and particularly impressive for the first in a series. It didn't drag as they sometimes do and the characters worked well. They weren't sacrificed in the interests of keeping the plot going. I like authors who want us to be invested in their characters - it makes me want to read more of them.
June 15, 2015
A very well written, but completely nerve-wrecking book. I know next to nothing about feudal Scotland, but the details and the dialogue felt very different from the usual historical fiction fare – it took me to a new place and time… and to be honest, not always the one where I’d liked to go.
And the book isn’t graphic in any way, mind. Most is of the horror is left unsaid. But it makes you think. How did those people of old endure all this cruelty and tyranny? And it was sometimes impossible to fight against, because it was your religion, you grew up with it, you didn’t ask questions…
I liked the main character and his friend the doc, and his sister and dad, I just thought they were a bit too modern in their way of thinking. And still, they threw the word “whore” around like nothing. *sigh* Stop it, women writers, pretty please? You are better than that.
PS. for those who would like to read it: it ends well! But one serious quibble I have is this: there is no great showdown. As with the scary stuff, the climax mostly happens offstage. And this is disappointing. I like those group scenes where everyone reacts and a great hot mess is made, and then it gets resolved. Right?
And the book isn’t graphic in any way, mind. Most is of the horror is left unsaid. But it makes you think. How did those people of old endure all this cruelty and tyranny? And it was sometimes impossible to fight against, because it was your religion, you grew up with it, you didn’t ask questions…
I liked the main character and his friend the doc, and his sister and dad, I just thought they were a bit too modern in their way of thinking. And still, they threw the word “whore” around like nothing. *sigh* Stop it, women writers, pretty please? You are better than that.
PS. for those who would like to read it: it ends well! But one serious quibble I have is this: there is no great showdown. As with the scary stuff, the climax mostly happens offstage. And this is disappointing. I like those group scenes where everyone reacts and a great hot mess is made, and then it gets resolved. Right?
December 9, 2018
This first book in the Hew Cullan series had its faults - the most severe of which is that I didn’t quite know what it was, a crime story or a historical story - but in spite of that I enjoyed it. The writing is surprisingly good in parts and the dialogue has that hint of alienation that makes it feel distant in time. The main characters are ticklish and you can sense the potential in them, even if some of the peripherals are stick figures. That said, Mackay paid attention to some minor parts in ways that I liked - Will, the dyer’s son, for example, with his quiet dignity. The plot is terribly baggy, particularly in the middle, and in spite of the length there are a few unresolved narratives. Still, there was enough to keep me interested, thematically speaking, to push through it. I hear the second book is better, following through the hints of promise in the first. I’m looking forward to it.
March 16, 2022
I'm not sure why I couldn't wait to finish this book. It started out well enough, but it started to drag on at some point. Normally this is the kind of book I would love, but maybe it's just the world we're living at at present, i.e. two years of Covid and now a war in Ukraine that is changing the world. It's hard to be enthused about much of anything these days. I might try the next in the series at some point though.
June 1, 2024
1579 Hew Cullan has returned to St. Andrews after six years where he soon finds himself embroiled in a murder investigation when the body of thirteen year Alexander Strachan is discovered.
The main suspect is his old friend Nicholas Colp, Master of St Leonard's College.
He's decides he must investigate. But there will be more deaths, can he find the truth.
An enjoyable and well-written historical mystery, but also a view of Stuart St. Andrews and university life. A very good start to the series.
The main suspect is his old friend Nicholas Colp, Master of St Leonard's College.
He's decides he must investigate. But there will be more deaths, can he find the truth.
An enjoyable and well-written historical mystery, but also a view of Stuart St. Andrews and university life. A very good start to the series.
November 24, 2020
What fun to read a 16th century Scottish mystery! I was impressed with Shirley Mckay's "1588" compilation of Hew Cullan stories, which I found in a remainders pile, and only then went backwards to the earlier mysteries, of which this is the first. I admit that I got a bit confused with all of the men whose names seemed to begin with "G," but in these cases I just go along for the ride and enjoy the story. Atmospheric, colorful, thoughtful.
January 27, 2012
I'm about half-way through so far. I'm enjoying it although there are some sentences I've had to skip because I couldn't quite figure out what was meant. Not a lot, though, and not enough to ruin the story.
Now that I'm done, I have to say I enjoyed it, although it was a little on the longish side. It reminded me, however, of the challenges of historical novels in that when characters such as the doctor are true to their time and start talking about "balancing the humours in a body" to make them well, it's so frustrating. You want to shake the character and tell them to wake up and realize that bleeding someone almost to death isn't doing them any big favors. You'd have thought that experience alone would have taught them that well before the middle of the 19th century, but I guess that's why the "scientific method" we take for granted today was such a brilliant new innovation when it finally occured to someone in the 19th century. LOL
Not to go off on a tangent, you understand, but the obscure, off-the-wall theories humans used to believe "way back when" is one of the things that can drive you crazy, particularly in a historical novel. It's really hard to identify with a character whose mindset is so different and superstitous. Fortunately, the doctor is only a minor character and the main character is of a very different sort with a modern enough view on life to make the reader care about him and identify with him.
I was not particularly surprised at the end, but that didn't affect my overall pleasure with the book.
Now that I'm done, I have to say I enjoyed it, although it was a little on the longish side. It reminded me, however, of the challenges of historical novels in that when characters such as the doctor are true to their time and start talking about "balancing the humours in a body" to make them well, it's so frustrating. You want to shake the character and tell them to wake up and realize that bleeding someone almost to death isn't doing them any big favors. You'd have thought that experience alone would have taught them that well before the middle of the 19th century, but I guess that's why the "scientific method" we take for granted today was such a brilliant new innovation when it finally occured to someone in the 19th century. LOL
Not to go off on a tangent, you understand, but the obscure, off-the-wall theories humans used to believe "way back when" is one of the things that can drive you crazy, particularly in a historical novel. It's really hard to identify with a character whose mindset is so different and superstitous. Fortunately, the doctor is only a minor character and the main character is of a very different sort with a modern enough view on life to make the reader care about him and identify with him.
I was not particularly surprised at the end, but that didn't affect my overall pleasure with the book.
December 31, 2016
16th century Scotland: Having recently returned from Paris to his home town, young lawyer Hew Cullan finds himself involved in a complex murder case when an old friend of is suspected of being responsible for the death of a 13-year-old boy he was tutoring. To clear his friend's name, Hew looks into the case himself and soon discovers that there is a lot more to it than one might suspect at first glance.
A solid historical mystery read. I enjoyed the very well rendered atmosphere a lot, but unfortunately didn't care overly much for any of the characters. In the end, I found the mystery a bit too convoluted and drawn out. Might still check out another one in the series at some point.
A solid historical mystery read. I enjoyed the very well rendered atmosphere a lot, but unfortunately didn't care overly much for any of the characters. In the end, I found the mystery a bit too convoluted and drawn out. Might still check out another one in the series at some point.
July 21, 2017
I found this an entertaining read, full of historical detail with carefully developed and intriguing plot. Everything tied in very nicely.
I felt all the action takes place ‘off page’ – mostly discovered through conversation, questioning the telling of tales and dropped hints. So the story loses some dynamic and involves a fair bit of repetition. The language style and vocabulary used by all the characters felt quite similar; with clearly indicated traits differentiating them.
So it’s a good tale but perhaps not one of my favourites.
I felt all the action takes place ‘off page’ – mostly discovered through conversation, questioning the telling of tales and dropped hints. So the story loses some dynamic and involves a fair bit of repetition. The language style and vocabulary used by all the characters felt quite similar; with clearly indicated traits differentiating them.
So it’s a good tale but perhaps not one of my favourites.
January 15, 2012
I devoured this book in one sitting--well, I did sleep for about 4 hours before I finished it off! A lovely historical mystery, with very well developed characters, a great sense of time and place, and an intriguing plot. Highly recommended!
January 5, 2018
I found myself torn as to how to rate this, unsure as to whether it warranted two or three stars. As is evidenced by the rating clearly visible, I settled upon three.
I began reading this book a long time ago and found that I simply could not enjoy it. This lack of enjoyment stemmed initially from the characterisation that Mckay provided us with, or more accurately its very notable absence, each person we were introduced to seemed hollow to me, a paper thin cut out simply used as a narrative device. These characters did not feel like people to me and the only enjoyment I managed to glean from these early pages came from a troublesome horse.
The second key reason I was initially struggling to submerse myself within this book and its story was that I felt that it lacked any sense motion. Nothing seemed to happen and yet over the course of the first few chapters two murders had taken place and various accusations but they meant very little to me. In truth I found myself completely disenchanted with the idea of ever finishing the book the first fifty pages having taken me weeks to read because every time I picked it up, I grew tired of it after a page or two.
I battled through those first few chapters and then I simply gave up, I had intended it to be an easy and quick read that would sate my reading desires whilst my life kept me too busy for the intricate novels I so enjoy.
January 1st 2018 was when I eventually picked up this book once more with the intention of actually trying to read it. Granted, the story did pick up to some degree after a little more wading through what I could appreciate was good writing just lacking the kind of flare that I desired.
I reached two hundred odd pages in with my mind made up that it was a perfectly decent novel that I simply could not get into and then Nicholas regained consciousness and that awful encounter occurred and I found myself seething and ready to throw the book across the room. It lay dormant for a few hours before I came back to it, determined to finish it and hoping that the writer could pull it back (I was bought the three first Hew Cullan books and really didn't want to leave them unread and unloved on my shelf for eternity).
She did pull it back. The characters began to come to life, not Hew though he remained very bland until the last fifty pages within which we caught a glimpse of a person beneath, in truth I found it hard to warm to the 'main' characters as they were (Hew, Meg, Giles, Nicholas) but found the cast of 'secondary' characters in particular Agnes to morph into a much more complex network than I had thought Mckay capable of weaving by this point. The story and its resolution although relatively simple proved satisfying at the end and with the decided improvement in these elements I found myself able to appreciate the clear dedication taken to write this novel. The research done to make it as strongly grounded in its historical setting was admirable and I could appreciate some of the word-craft taking place within Mckay's sentences which at times was quite beautifully done.
Although this book in its whole has left me quite honestly perplexed I can say confidently that it is a novel of value and that I would recommend it. I can see why other people may love it and wish that my appreciation of it could have been much greater than it was. In conclusion this is a decent book that I failed to connect with until the end, I hope that in reading the second book I will be able to see what I missed in this one. The potential to be an enjoyable read was there, it just failed to put out this time around.
I began reading this book a long time ago and found that I simply could not enjoy it. This lack of enjoyment stemmed initially from the characterisation that Mckay provided us with, or more accurately its very notable absence, each person we were introduced to seemed hollow to me, a paper thin cut out simply used as a narrative device. These characters did not feel like people to me and the only enjoyment I managed to glean from these early pages came from a troublesome horse.
The second key reason I was initially struggling to submerse myself within this book and its story was that I felt that it lacked any sense motion. Nothing seemed to happen and yet over the course of the first few chapters two murders had taken place and various accusations but they meant very little to me. In truth I found myself completely disenchanted with the idea of ever finishing the book the first fifty pages having taken me weeks to read because every time I picked it up, I grew tired of it after a page or two.
I battled through those first few chapters and then I simply gave up, I had intended it to be an easy and quick read that would sate my reading desires whilst my life kept me too busy for the intricate novels I so enjoy.
January 1st 2018 was when I eventually picked up this book once more with the intention of actually trying to read it. Granted, the story did pick up to some degree after a little more wading through what I could appreciate was good writing just lacking the kind of flare that I desired.
I reached two hundred odd pages in with my mind made up that it was a perfectly decent novel that I simply could not get into and then Nicholas regained consciousness and that awful encounter occurred and I found myself seething and ready to throw the book across the room. It lay dormant for a few hours before I came back to it, determined to finish it and hoping that the writer could pull it back (I was bought the three first Hew Cullan books and really didn't want to leave them unread and unloved on my shelf for eternity).
She did pull it back. The characters began to come to life, not Hew though he remained very bland until the last fifty pages within which we caught a glimpse of a person beneath, in truth I found it hard to warm to the 'main' characters as they were (Hew, Meg, Giles, Nicholas) but found the cast of 'secondary' characters in particular Agnes to morph into a much more complex network than I had thought Mckay capable of weaving by this point. The story and its resolution although relatively simple proved satisfying at the end and with the decided improvement in these elements I found myself able to appreciate the clear dedication taken to write this novel. The research done to make it as strongly grounded in its historical setting was admirable and I could appreciate some of the word-craft taking place within Mckay's sentences which at times was quite beautifully done.
Although this book in its whole has left me quite honestly perplexed I can say confidently that it is a novel of value and that I would recommend it. I can see why other people may love it and wish that my appreciation of it could have been much greater than it was. In conclusion this is a decent book that I failed to connect with until the end, I hope that in reading the second book I will be able to see what I missed in this one. The potential to be an enjoyable read was there, it just failed to put out this time around.
April 4, 2019
Although this novel (published 2011) begins the Hew Cullan mysteries, I arrived having read the latest, '1588: A Calendar of Crime' (2016), first.
In many ways, therefore, this felt like a prequel, assembling the cast and creating several relationships I'd already become familiar with.
Think a far superior version of Star Wars episodes I-III ...
- - -
We begin with Cullan arriving back at St Andrews after an extended stay in France, picking up the threads of his old life: a father with definite ideas about his son's future; a sister who is almost a stranger, having grown into a young woman in his absence; friends whose paths have diverged from his own. As he struggles to make his way and find his place, Cullan becomes involved in the investigation of a series of murders beginning with the bludgeoning of a teenage boy.
This is far removed from 'écriture féminine', yet I was struck by how forcefully and sensitively McKay presents a series of female vignettes intertwined with the main narrative. We find the ambitious teenager, suddenly aware of how she fascinates men and the opportunities this might bring; the wife who finds herself pregnant with a baby that cannot be her husband's; the spirited, intelligent woman at risk of calling down the wrath of a disapproving patriarchal society. These everyday details and dilemmas create a well-rounded world which is far more than the stereotypical sleuthing series usually offers. And Cullan himself is likeable and empathic. I particularly enjoyed his burgeoning friendship with the physician, Giles. And on this occasion, with a nod to Hamlet, perhaps, we get a 'play-within-a-novel' for good measure.
Having read and enjoyed both ends of the series, it's difficult to imagine my not reading the rest now, which is as much a recommendation as the star rating.
In many ways, therefore, this felt like a prequel, assembling the cast and creating several relationships I'd already become familiar with.
Think a far superior version of Star Wars episodes I-III ...
- - -
We begin with Cullan arriving back at St Andrews after an extended stay in France, picking up the threads of his old life: a father with definite ideas about his son's future; a sister who is almost a stranger, having grown into a young woman in his absence; friends whose paths have diverged from his own. As he struggles to make his way and find his place, Cullan becomes involved in the investigation of a series of murders beginning with the bludgeoning of a teenage boy.
This is far removed from 'écriture féminine', yet I was struck by how forcefully and sensitively McKay presents a series of female vignettes intertwined with the main narrative. We find the ambitious teenager, suddenly aware of how she fascinates men and the opportunities this might bring; the wife who finds herself pregnant with a baby that cannot be her husband's; the spirited, intelligent woman at risk of calling down the wrath of a disapproving patriarchal society. These everyday details and dilemmas create a well-rounded world which is far more than the stereotypical sleuthing series usually offers. And Cullan himself is likeable and empathic. I particularly enjoyed his burgeoning friendship with the physician, Giles. And on this occasion, with a nod to Hamlet, perhaps, we get a 'play-within-a-novel' for good measure.
Having read and enjoyed both ends of the series, it's difficult to imagine my not reading the rest now, which is as much a recommendation as the star rating.
July 16, 2021
The first in a mystery series I hope to explore more. It’s the late 16th century and Hew Cullan returns to his home in Saint Andrews, Scotland. Having followed in his attorney father’s footsteps, he’s been away studying law for several years in Paris. But he hasn’t found the legal profession appealing and finds employment as a teacher at the university. But events involving both his friends and potentially his family pulls his legal mind into solving the web of accusations, which include multiple murders, witchcraft, adultery, and sodomy.
It was more complex than expected, set in an interesting era in the twilight between medieval and renaissance thought. Doctors not only bleed their patients, but also cast horoscopes along with prescribing medications. A rigid Protestant kirk pushes back on new thinking. Some believe witchcraft a definite threat while some pooh pooh the notion. McKay avoided many mystery novel cliches and the solutions were more round about. No brilliant Sherlock Holmes here. Even the best minds bark up the wrong tree at times. Scottish brogues and terms may turn some readers off, but I felt it gave an air of authenticity. Plus, I had the personal pleasure of recalling a beautiful morning in Saint Andrews when I walked along the avenues, golf links, and ruins, looking out on the North Sea, of the many places mentioned in this novel. If I can’t return to that lovely place physically, then I hope to in more Hew Cullan books.
It was more complex than expected, set in an interesting era in the twilight between medieval and renaissance thought. Doctors not only bleed their patients, but also cast horoscopes along with prescribing medications. A rigid Protestant kirk pushes back on new thinking. Some believe witchcraft a definite threat while some pooh pooh the notion. McKay avoided many mystery novel cliches and the solutions were more round about. No brilliant Sherlock Holmes here. Even the best minds bark up the wrong tree at times. Scottish brogues and terms may turn some readers off, but I felt it gave an air of authenticity. Plus, I had the personal pleasure of recalling a beautiful morning in Saint Andrews when I walked along the avenues, golf links, and ruins, looking out on the North Sea, of the many places mentioned in this novel. If I can’t return to that lovely place physically, then I hope to in more Hew Cullan books.
October 4, 2022
A medieval mystery set in Scotland. Pretty fun. I liked it well enough to finish and rank pretty highly (I gave it 4, though maybe 3 stars might be closer to the truth for me), but I don't really want to read the rest of the series. I guess I'd say it's a well written story in a niche I don't love to read.
(Reminds me of steak. I don't like it as much as everybody else. Doesn't mean it's not good.)
I guess it's the way everybody is sort of helpless. Nobody, and I mean nobody, can solve any of their problems; what doesn't kill them must be endured, including every kind of loss, separation, and violence. Everybody is watched and everybody is controlled. It's a claustrophobic feeling. And the mystery is only sort of solved, in the sense that we know what happened, but it doesn't really come out to the public. I wanted to see a forceful investigator track down evidence, present it to the world, and truly exonerate the innocent while punishing the guilty, all in a cool medieval city. Sherlock in Scotland. There's only a little of that.
And yet--it has many well developed characters to care about, a real sense of time and space, and excellent prose. I suspect many readers would enjoy this more than I did.
Recommended with reservations.
(Reminds me of steak. I don't like it as much as everybody else. Doesn't mean it's not good.)
I guess it's the way everybody is sort of helpless. Nobody, and I mean nobody, can solve any of their problems; what doesn't kill them must be endured, including every kind of loss, separation, and violence. Everybody is watched and everybody is controlled. It's a claustrophobic feeling. And the mystery is only sort of solved, in the sense that we know what happened, but it doesn't really come out to the public. I wanted to see a forceful investigator track down evidence, present it to the world, and truly exonerate the innocent while punishing the guilty, all in a cool medieval city. Sherlock in Scotland. There's only a little of that.
And yet--it has many well developed characters to care about, a real sense of time and space, and excellent prose. I suspect many readers would enjoy this more than I did.
Recommended with reservations.
September 11, 2025
I totally loved this book.
Whilst on holiday in Scotland, I saw Shirley McKay's books in a shop and bought a couple. I hadn't heard of her, but the Hew Cullan series are historical fiction - a genre which I love - and are based in St Andrews, which is where I was. Therefore, trying out a 'new' author was a no-brainer.
As hoped, the storyline kept me intrigued, but I was particularly impressed with McKay's inclusion of the dirtier details of daily life. The human waste that we all produce, and the issues facing women each month, became part of the story, but not in a sordid way (quite rightly). For that alone, I applaud her, but her writing in general was a joy to read.
The ending, however, was on another level. There is no way I could have anticipated that, and it was so very clever. I absolutely loved the conclusion. Hats off to you, Shirley, and I am looking forward to reading the next episode in Hew Cullan's life.
Whilst on holiday in Scotland, I saw Shirley McKay's books in a shop and bought a couple. I hadn't heard of her, but the Hew Cullan series are historical fiction - a genre which I love - and are based in St Andrews, which is where I was. Therefore, trying out a 'new' author was a no-brainer.
As hoped, the storyline kept me intrigued, but I was particularly impressed with McKay's inclusion of the dirtier details of daily life. The human waste that we all produce, and the issues facing women each month, became part of the story, but not in a sordid way (quite rightly). For that alone, I applaud her, but her writing in general was a joy to read.
The ending, however, was on another level. There is no way I could have anticipated that, and it was so very clever. I absolutely loved the conclusion. Hats off to you, Shirley, and I am looking forward to reading the next episode in Hew Cullan's life.
August 9, 2018
Over all I liked this book, but there were a couple issues I had with it. It feels insulting to the intelligence of the reader to set out the entire solution to several murder mysteries in a chapter where the protagonist is literally explaining the plot twists to a child, in preparation of a play put on to "catch the conscience of the king". The reader has, by that point, presumably actually read the book, and it's not like it was extremely complicated, so it was very pointless to rehash the plot again TWICE.
On the other hand, I liked the 16th century setting in St. Andrews, and the focus on the cruelties of college life at the time, as well as the examination of law and justice, both within the kirk and without. The characters were a bit blah, but the mystery was an interesting one, and who knows, the characters might improve in the sequels. I'll see, I guess.
On the other hand, I liked the 16th century setting in St. Andrews, and the focus on the cruelties of college life at the time, as well as the examination of law and justice, both within the kirk and without. The characters were a bit blah, but the mystery was an interesting one, and who knows, the characters might improve in the sequels. I'll see, I guess.
September 3, 2018
This is the first of the Hew Callan books - murder mysteries set in medieval St Andrews. As I had already read the series of 5 Calendar books, Hew and his world were already familiar with me. For a new reader, however, McKay develops her world and characters convincingly and in-depth. She demonstrates a intricate understanding of life in the late 1500s, yet never comes across as trying to educate or explain the world she writes about. Hew, a young man recently returned from France, has been educated in the law yet resists following his father's footsteps in this field. Law, or, to be more precise, crime, drags him into its domain when one of his old friends is accused of murder. The novel is fascinating in its depiction of the young St Andrew's university and the pushes and pulls which made medieval life. It is well-written with characters which are well fleshed out and convincing.
September 20, 2022
I wasn’t wholly enamoured of this first Hew Cullan novel. I bought it for my e-reader because I am an alumna of the University of St Andrews, as is the author, so I was fascinated to see how she portrays the town in the 16th century. I wish I knew more about the university system in Scotland at that time. Hew is likeable enough as a protagonist and his friend, Dr Giles Locke is enough of an iconoclast to appeal to me. I found the plot a little thin and convoluted; I felt there was information missing that would have helped. But this is the first in the series so we’ll see if the author solidifies her style more in the subsequent stories.
July 12, 2022
3.5 Stars. A good story set in 1579 St. Andrews, Scotland. Suspenseful and exciting as the reader encounters the cringeworthy horrors of "physic" in the 16th century. And thou shall not suffer a witch to live, even if she isn't really a witch.
Thank God for Hew Cullan, the only one willing to go the distance to determine who the real culprits were. Quite a bit going on in this tale, made for an entertaining read.
Thank God for Hew Cullan, the only one willing to go the distance to determine who the real culprits were. Quite a bit going on in this tale, made for an entertaining read.
February 27, 2023
Will be an interesting series
A 13 year old boy, nephew of a weaver, is found dead. He turns out to be a student who is too young to really handle the work. His tutor is blamed for the murder. Hew Cullan is a young lawyer who has returned from France to his hometown and becomes embroiled in solving the murder. The characters are very engaging and the story is quite complicated. Well thought out and a surprise ending.
A 13 year old boy, nephew of a weaver, is found dead. He turns out to be a student who is too young to really handle the work. His tutor is blamed for the murder. Hew Cullan is a young lawyer who has returned from France to his hometown and becomes embroiled in solving the murder. The characters are very engaging and the story is quite complicated. Well thought out and a surprise ending.
July 20, 2024
Was slow going and long winded, yet still on track for a very average 3 stars, until the line about someone "drying their feet on the gorse". Have you ever touched a gorse bush? It's probably one of the spikiest plants in Scotland. Can't see anyone willingly putting their feet near one, let alone drying them on them. Not a huge mistake, but errors like this really distracted from the story and reduced my trust in the author that other more important historical facts were accurate.
April 18, 2022
Got through about 75% of the book and couldn’t take any more. The ostensible main character never developed a personality, and the remaining characters were either mildly obnoxious or thoroughly revolting. I realized that I did not care who lived or died, and was not at all interested in who the murderer was.
August 22, 2017
So well written not only historically, but in the concept of blind justice, and what that means. I just returned from a trip to St Andrews Scotland and this book also iterates a beautiful picture of the scenery in that magical seaside town to a tee.
October 10, 2018
A new, to me, historical crime series set in St Andrews.
Atmospheric and full of historical detail, verging on almost too much occasionally, but facinating.
Story well crafted and interesting. Will look forward to reading more.
Atmospheric and full of historical detail, verging on almost too much occasionally, but facinating.
Story well crafted and interesting. Will look forward to reading more.
June 17, 2019
This is an outstanding historical novel, well-written and with the setting of St Andrews, atmospheric and fascinating. I've read all of the author's novels and would absolutely recommend. Anyone who likes CJ Sansom and similar would love these, as I did. Please write more!
Charles.
Charles.
July 23, 2022
Fairly good period mystery set in England during the reign of young King James. Hooks your interest quickly and keeps it. Characters suitably dark and hiding secrets. Time period atmosphere serves as good background. I found the resolution a bit unlikely, almost dues ex machina, but still good.
February 4, 2024
A Different Kind of Story
This story is interesting. Unfortunately, it is very slow moving and not very easy to read. I have to admit I’m not sure if I want to read any other books by this author or not.
This story is interesting. Unfortunately, it is very slow moving and not very easy to read. I have to admit I’m not sure if I want to read any other books by this author or not.
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