S. G. MacLean: Alexander Seaton Books 1 to 4

by S.G. MacLean

Experience the story from start to finish with this complete collection of the Alexander Seaton Series from prize-winning author S. G. MacLean.

Scotland, 1620s.

Alexander Seaton's life is in tatters. Once a minister, he has been cast out of the kirk in disgrace after his affair with the Laird's daughter was discovered.

When a body is discovered in Seaton's house and his own friend is accused of murder, Seaton decides to investigate. And so begins a new chapter of his life.

Join Seaton as sets he investigates poisoners, witchcraft and murder - embarking on a journey through the darkest parts of other men's souls, as well as his own.

A sleuth to rival Shardlake and Cadfael, these are the perfect novels for readers of Rory Clements and S. J. Parris.

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Praise for S. G. MacLean

'Transports your body and soul to another time and place' Craig Russell
'A delight on all levels . . . engaging and moving' Manda Scott
'MacLean is a terrific storyteller' Big Issue
'Truly memorable and exciting' Historical Novels Review
'Seaton is a compelling flawed yet indomitable figure' Scottish Field

Genres: Historical Fiction

1369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2023

About the author

Aka Shona MacLean

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in the series that preceded the author's Seeker series, which I really adored, running through all six books. Alexander Seaton was a promising young man whose education and plans to enter the clergy were supported by the local noble. He made the mistake of falling in love with the lord's daughter, who opposed their marriage. A few days after he gave a sermon to town officials to secure a post, he spent the night with his beloved, and the two were surprised in the morning by her father. Disgraced, the girl was married off to a much older man, and Alexander, publicly shamed, was removed from the clergy but given a post as schoolmaster. The story starts when, on his way home from dinner with friends, he sees a young man stumbling and falling down in the street, mouthing the words, "Help me." Instead, he decides not to get involved and goes home. The next morning, the man's body is found at the schoolmaster's desk. He is nephew by marriage to the provost, perhaps the most important man in town, and was apprenticed to the local apothecary. Seaton is quickly cleared of any involvement, but his best friend, in love with the apothecary's daughter who was being courted by the victim, is arrested and imprisoned. Determined to set him free, Seaton sets out to learn who poisoned him and how, and, after a second murder occurs, whether this seemingly upstanding young man had dark secrets to hide.

There's a twist at the end that works quite well. Overall, I enjoyed this one, but not as much as The Seeker series. I'll get back to the rest of them later.

[AJW · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved S.G.MacLean's Damian Seeker series, so I moved onto this omnibus. And I enjoyed it, reading all four books in four days. MacLean is a great storyteller.

The first story, The Redemption of Alexander Seaton, was my favourite. I immediately loved all the different characters and the setting. That was a four star story.

I didn't enjoy the following three stories as much, but they were still page turners.

My only regret is that this ominous edition only counts as one book towards my annual Goodreads target, and not four. I'm behind my schedule :-D

Random Fact: I didn't know until today that S.G.MacLean was the niece of Alistair MacLean, the thriller writer.

[Lynn Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful series - hope there will be

More! Maclean is an excellent vivid writer. Her command of history and the effects of the religious wars allows the reader to learn while being entranced in the characters lives.