What do you think?
Rate this book
Storm Over Scotland
Gathering Storm: Forbidden Love in the Shadow of the Jacobite Rebellion
Jacobite intrigue and romance in 18th century history, mystery and love across the widening political divide.Edinburgh, Yuletide 1743, and Redcoat Captain Robert Catto would rather be anywhere else on earth than Scotland. Seconded back from the wars in Europe to command the city's Town Guard, he fears his covert mission to assess the strength of the Jacobite threat will force him to confront the past he tries so hard to forget.Christian Rankeillor, her surgeon-apothecary father and his apprentice Jamie Buchan of Balnamoon are committed supporters of the Stuart Cause. They're hiding a Jacobite agent with a price on his head in Edinburgh Royal a hanging offence. Meeting as enemies, Robert and Kirsty are thrown together as allies by their desire to help Geordie and Alice Smart, young runaways from Cosmo Liddell, bored and brutal aristocrat and coal owner.Gathering Storm brings to life a time when Scotland stood at a crossroads in her history and is the first in a suite of Jacobite novels by Scottish writer and historian Maggie Craig, author of the ground-breaking and acclaimed Damn' Rebel The Women of the '45 and Bare-Arsed The Men of the 45. ‘A tale full of crime, politics and intrigue, set against the backdrop of Edinburgh in the 1740s.’ (Scottish Field)'I am now romping though "Gathering Storm" and enjoying the novel thoroughly... not only her development of character and background description, but the interweaving of historical fact. Absolutely gripping!' (Reader Review)The Storm over Scotland Books follow the story of Christian Rankeillor and Robert Catto as their two very different worlds collide. GATHERING STORM and DANCE TO THE STORM are out now, STORM TOSSED MOON is forthcoming.
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2013
61 people are currently reading
831 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Craig
26 books88 followersI'm a Scottish writer of fiction and non-fiction and love the beauty and the history of my native land. I've expressed my enthusiasm for the latter through non-fiction books. These include the definitive study of women's involvement in the 1745 Jacobite Rising, Damn' Rebel Bitches: The Women of the '45, described by one critic as a 'modern classic.' I later published its companion volume Bare-Arsed Banditti: The Men of the '45 . My most recent non-fiction book is One Week in April: The Scottish Radical Rising of 1820.
My novels split into two genres. The first six are family sagas set in my native Glasgow from the 1920s to the 1940s. I prefer to describe them as love stories crossed with social history.
I'm now writing historical novels. I call them Romance Noir, very romantic but gritty too. The first of these is a tale of young love and old Edinburgh, One Sweet Moment, set in the 1820s. One reviewer described it as 'Romance with a capital R', which it most certainly is, although I've also been told that it's not for the faint-hearted. Life wasn't easy if you were a poor young woman back then and I felt the book had to reflect that. One Sweet Moment is also about Edinburgh and its Jekyll and Hyde nature, the parlours of the New Town and the underground vaults and oyster cellars of the Old Town, the visit of King George IV to the city in 1822 and the dramatic Great Fire of Edinburgh of 1824.
My second historical novel is Gathering Storm, a novel of Jacobite intrigue and romance, the first of a suite of novels featuring the same intertwining cast of characters finding their way through the moral dilemmas, drama and battles of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion.
It's sequel is Dance to the Storm, published in 2020.
As a reader, I love to read novels which might be described as intelligent escapism. I also love romantic suspense, the sort of books where you wonder how on earth the hero and heroine are going to make it through to a happy ending. Among my favourite authors are Georgette Heyer, Dorothy L Sayers, Elizabeth Peters and Nora Roberts. I also read a lot of non-fiction, particularly historical. Favourite periods include 18th century and World War 2 Britain and I love to read about the forgotten women of history.
My novels split into two genres. The first six are family sagas set in my native Glasgow from the 1920s to the 1940s. I prefer to describe them as love stories crossed with social history.
I'm now writing historical novels. I call them Romance Noir, very romantic but gritty too. The first of these is a tale of young love and old Edinburgh, One Sweet Moment, set in the 1820s. One reviewer described it as 'Romance with a capital R', which it most certainly is, although I've also been told that it's not for the faint-hearted. Life wasn't easy if you were a poor young woman back then and I felt the book had to reflect that. One Sweet Moment is also about Edinburgh and its Jekyll and Hyde nature, the parlours of the New Town and the underground vaults and oyster cellars of the Old Town, the visit of King George IV to the city in 1822 and the dramatic Great Fire of Edinburgh of 1824.
My second historical novel is Gathering Storm, a novel of Jacobite intrigue and romance, the first of a suite of novels featuring the same intertwining cast of characters finding their way through the moral dilemmas, drama and battles of the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion.
It's sequel is Dance to the Storm, published in 2020.
As a reader, I love to read novels which might be described as intelligent escapism. I also love romantic suspense, the sort of books where you wonder how on earth the hero and heroine are going to make it through to a happy ending. Among my favourite authors are Georgette Heyer, Dorothy L Sayers, Elizabeth Peters and Nora Roberts. I also read a lot of non-fiction, particularly historical. Favourite periods include 18th century and World War 2 Britain and I love to read about the forgotten women of history.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 12, 2021
Edited review with a different (fabulous) narrator.
This magnificent, fast paced, brilliantly researched novel of 18th century Edinburgh is packed full of political intrigue, conspiracy, deception, diabolical deeds, murder, and even a hint of secret dissections. A fascinating, intriguing story with a beautifully crafted, reluctant romance between two worthy opponents, and I adored every minute of it.
This story is about people on opposite sides of a divided Scotland, each side believing passionately in their cause - the Jacobites determined to win independence for Scotland no matter the cost, committed supporters of the Stuart cause, and their opponents, the soldiers and politicians of the English crown, equally resolute and tenacious in their determination.
As well as her unsurpassed and accurately researched historical content, Ms.Craig can always be relied upon to transport her readers to time and place - atmosphere is a byword of her eloquent writing. I could hear the click of boots on the cobbled streets as the soldiers of the Town Guard marched through the echoey, empty, dank and dark roadway on their way to the Royal Infirmary in search of their prey...
“Robert Catto swept out through the Bristol Port and wheeled left. Adjusting his steadying grip on the hilt of his sword, he proceeded to cover the newly-cobbled causeway behind Edinburgh University at a fast and loping stride.”…and…...Bringing his right hand up to the side of his head, he splayed his long fingers so everyone would be sure of seeing the signal to stop. As he came to a graceful halt, spinning round on the balls of his feet to face the men, the soft folds of his cloak billowed out around him.”.
Redcoat officer, Robert Catto of the despised Town Guard, has been summoned from front-line duty in Europe and promoted to Captain by the Lord President, Duncan Forbes of Culloden. Culloden is a humane and honourable man whose main agenda is the peace and prosperity of his beloved Scotland. The reluctant Robert Catto’s mission is to discreetly assess the strength of the Jacobite threat using his position as Captain of the Town Guard.
Much of the intrigue is centred around Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary where Christian (Kirsty) Rankeillor lives and works with her father, a well-respected Professor, surgeon and apothecary. They are Jacobite sympathisers along with Professor Rankeillor’s apprentice, Jamie Buchan of Balnamoon. Robert Catto is aware that unlawful dissections are taking place in the dead of night in the Infirmary and uses this knowledge as a cover to enter and search the premises for his real prey - the agent he suspects is being hidden there. Captain Catto finds some evidence of a clandestine meeting but is too late to apprehend the high profile Jacobite agent. Duty bound to root out this traitor, Robert Catto will stop at nothing to quickly and ruthlessly carry out his unpalatable task, and then to leave his homeland for ever.
A growing but unwanted attraction begins to develop between Robert and Kirsty as they are thrown together more and more in Catto’s determined quest to find the Jacobite agent, and Kirsty’s equal determination to thwart him at every turn. Despite his irascible and sarcastic manner towards her, Kirsty is still drawn to the charismatic but lonely man she senses the Captain to be. And he is lonely. He’s a young man who carries deep and dark memories he cannot erase, not only of his mysterious past but also of the reality of war which he has seen and experienced at first hand, and fervently wishes the idealistic people of Scotland, in particular Kirsty, will avoid.
I love Robert’s character - on the surface fierce, sarcastic and tough, but with an honourable streak a mile wide and a tender nature he takes great care to hide. He is no chocolate box hero though; he’s a man of his time and does and says things that will shock. But we are privy to his innermost thoughts too, which are, at times, dark and shocking but they also give glimpses of the honourable young man beneath his outer cynical and jaded demeanour. Robert has met his match in the beautiful, feisty and loyal Kirsty; gently bred she may be, but she’s no shrinking violet having had an unorthodox upbringing. Her father has treated her as an equal and she is no stranger to the sick, the dead, nor even the dissecting of bodies for the improvement of medical science. The growing attraction between these two young and very able combatants is apparent, but does not overshadow the serious subject - that of Scotland at a possible crossroads in her history. The star crossed, would-be lovers have a lot to overcome with their vastly differing beliefs on what is right for Scotland, and Ms.Craig presents their opinions in her usual unbiased manner. Her fictional and non-fictional characters blend so seamlessly that it is difficult to discern who lived and who didn’t without googling... which I did a lot of. Let’s just say that I have a wee soft spot for the nonfictional character of Duncan Forbes of Culloden and a huge one for the fictional Robert Catto!
There are many twists and turns, with the death of a young prostitute, bestial behaviour by some of Edinburgh’s young, wealthy and spoilt aristocrats, political intrigue and clandestine meetings, all of which combine to make this a thoroughly enjoyable, intriguing, and fascinating story. Maggie Craig is a historian of repute as well as a talented writer and fabulous storyteller - her meticulous research and love of her homeland clearly shows. I have read the much lauded and highly popular first two Outlander novels, and it’s difficult not to compare the two writers. The fact that Gathering Storm has been written by a Scot, who knows her subject by studying, living and breathing it, is obvious. Even the language used could only have been written by someone in the habit of hearing and using this vernacular herself day after day.
Storm over Scotland, the next book in this series, has now been published and we see more of Kirsty and Robert after the shocking identity of the Jacobite agent is revealed at the end of this first book. The third and final book in the series, Storm Tossed Moon, is currently being written.
Ms. Craig has chosen to have Gathering Storm re-recorded by the highly talented actor Steve Worsley, who I’ve previously heard narrate the crime novels of Stuart MacBride. It’s our gain that he has agreed to become the voice of the delicious Robert and company, because his velvety tones and talents are perfect. IMO it could only have been a Scottish actor who could interpret and deliver the subtle differences in the many and varied dialects present in Maggie Craig’s wonderful story. Mr. Worsley delivers a flawless performance with aplomb, switching between the vast cast of characters with ease.
Performing the outwardly irascible, sarcastic and impatient Robert Catto at his worst must, I think, be an actors dream. But he also expertly and flawlessly switches between the quicksilver changes of mood in the unpredictable Robert. It takes only a slight lowering of voice and intonation, and the world weary young soldier disappears revealing a more vulnerable young man. Then, with a slight lowering in voice and an almost imperceptible change in tone, and without the need for explanation, we are aware that Robert is indulging in his inner musings, once more worrying and voicing his misgivings and concerns to himself as to how the whole situation might implode - how Scotland and Kirsty might suffer. And as his unwilling feelings for Kirsty Rankeillor become deeper, his worries intensify and his deep concern at the unthinkable outcome should she be discovered in the clandestine activities he suspects her of.
Professor Rankeillor, Kirsty’s father is a fine example of Steve Worsley’s vocal talents and versatility. The professor is a man of letters, compassionate to his fellow man and protective of his daughter, colleagues and household. He’s also no fool; he has at one point in the story to hide behind a drunken charade in an attempt to fool the haughty young Captain Catto as to his whereabouts. Steve Worsley does a sterling job in carrying out this particular scene, adopting an older facade - the air is fraught with tension as he carries out a conversation between Kirsty, Robert, Jamie and the professor. But one of my very favourite scenes is a flashback in which we hear the Professor patiently explaining the facts of life to his motherless, eleven year old daughter. Mr. Worsley imbues an embarrassed but determined Rankeillor with a fatherly tenderness which actually brings tears to the eyes as a young and childish Kirsty asks questions of her squirming father; Kirsty, used to her father’s straight talking, is fascinated by his anatomically accurate description of hypothetical events that she may, in the future, have to contend with. The Professor’s embarrassment is clear, but it’s a particularly moving piece of work and the narrator voices the very young and curious Kirsty with a sweet and childish lilt to her voice, as she earnestly questions him about his revelations.
There are too many characters to mention individually but I can only urge anyone who has not experienced Maggie Craig’s fabulous Storm over Scotland series to hesitate no longer. Both Gathering Storm and Dance to the Storm are available in e format, print and audio. I’m told that Storm Tossed Moon is forthcoming and I can hardly wait for the final book which will complete this wonderful trilogy. Maggie Craig and Steve Worsley are a fabulous team and I cannot recommend the two audio books in this series so far highly enough. If you haven’t yet sampled the fabulous writing of Scottish historian Maggie Craig, please do, because you’re in for a treat and you won’t be disappointed.
This magnificent, fast paced, brilliantly researched novel of 18th century Edinburgh is packed full of political intrigue, conspiracy, deception, diabolical deeds, murder, and even a hint of secret dissections. A fascinating, intriguing story with a beautifully crafted, reluctant romance between two worthy opponents, and I adored every minute of it.
This story is about people on opposite sides of a divided Scotland, each side believing passionately in their cause - the Jacobites determined to win independence for Scotland no matter the cost, committed supporters of the Stuart cause, and their opponents, the soldiers and politicians of the English crown, equally resolute and tenacious in their determination.
As well as her unsurpassed and accurately researched historical content, Ms.Craig can always be relied upon to transport her readers to time and place - atmosphere is a byword of her eloquent writing. I could hear the click of boots on the cobbled streets as the soldiers of the Town Guard marched through the echoey, empty, dank and dark roadway on their way to the Royal Infirmary in search of their prey...
“Robert Catto swept out through the Bristol Port and wheeled left. Adjusting his steadying grip on the hilt of his sword, he proceeded to cover the newly-cobbled causeway behind Edinburgh University at a fast and loping stride.”…and…...Bringing his right hand up to the side of his head, he splayed his long fingers so everyone would be sure of seeing the signal to stop. As he came to a graceful halt, spinning round on the balls of his feet to face the men, the soft folds of his cloak billowed out around him.”.
Redcoat officer, Robert Catto of the despised Town Guard, has been summoned from front-line duty in Europe and promoted to Captain by the Lord President, Duncan Forbes of Culloden. Culloden is a humane and honourable man whose main agenda is the peace and prosperity of his beloved Scotland. The reluctant Robert Catto’s mission is to discreetly assess the strength of the Jacobite threat using his position as Captain of the Town Guard.
Much of the intrigue is centred around Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary where Christian (Kirsty) Rankeillor lives and works with her father, a well-respected Professor, surgeon and apothecary. They are Jacobite sympathisers along with Professor Rankeillor’s apprentice, Jamie Buchan of Balnamoon. Robert Catto is aware that unlawful dissections are taking place in the dead of night in the Infirmary and uses this knowledge as a cover to enter and search the premises for his real prey - the agent he suspects is being hidden there. Captain Catto finds some evidence of a clandestine meeting but is too late to apprehend the high profile Jacobite agent. Duty bound to root out this traitor, Robert Catto will stop at nothing to quickly and ruthlessly carry out his unpalatable task, and then to leave his homeland for ever.
A growing but unwanted attraction begins to develop between Robert and Kirsty as they are thrown together more and more in Catto’s determined quest to find the Jacobite agent, and Kirsty’s equal determination to thwart him at every turn. Despite his irascible and sarcastic manner towards her, Kirsty is still drawn to the charismatic but lonely man she senses the Captain to be. And he is lonely. He’s a young man who carries deep and dark memories he cannot erase, not only of his mysterious past but also of the reality of war which he has seen and experienced at first hand, and fervently wishes the idealistic people of Scotland, in particular Kirsty, will avoid.
I love Robert’s character - on the surface fierce, sarcastic and tough, but with an honourable streak a mile wide and a tender nature he takes great care to hide. He is no chocolate box hero though; he’s a man of his time and does and says things that will shock. But we are privy to his innermost thoughts too, which are, at times, dark and shocking but they also give glimpses of the honourable young man beneath his outer cynical and jaded demeanour. Robert has met his match in the beautiful, feisty and loyal Kirsty; gently bred she may be, but she’s no shrinking violet having had an unorthodox upbringing. Her father has treated her as an equal and she is no stranger to the sick, the dead, nor even the dissecting of bodies for the improvement of medical science. The growing attraction between these two young and very able combatants is apparent, but does not overshadow the serious subject - that of Scotland at a possible crossroads in her history. The star crossed, would-be lovers have a lot to overcome with their vastly differing beliefs on what is right for Scotland, and Ms.Craig presents their opinions in her usual unbiased manner. Her fictional and non-fictional characters blend so seamlessly that it is difficult to discern who lived and who didn’t without googling... which I did a lot of. Let’s just say that I have a wee soft spot for the nonfictional character of Duncan Forbes of Culloden and a huge one for the fictional Robert Catto!
There are many twists and turns, with the death of a young prostitute, bestial behaviour by some of Edinburgh’s young, wealthy and spoilt aristocrats, political intrigue and clandestine meetings, all of which combine to make this a thoroughly enjoyable, intriguing, and fascinating story. Maggie Craig is a historian of repute as well as a talented writer and fabulous storyteller - her meticulous research and love of her homeland clearly shows. I have read the much lauded and highly popular first two Outlander novels, and it’s difficult not to compare the two writers. The fact that Gathering Storm has been written by a Scot, who knows her subject by studying, living and breathing it, is obvious. Even the language used could only have been written by someone in the habit of hearing and using this vernacular herself day after day.
Storm over Scotland, the next book in this series, has now been published and we see more of Kirsty and Robert after the shocking identity of the Jacobite agent is revealed at the end of this first book. The third and final book in the series, Storm Tossed Moon, is currently being written.
Ms. Craig has chosen to have Gathering Storm re-recorded by the highly talented actor Steve Worsley, who I’ve previously heard narrate the crime novels of Stuart MacBride. It’s our gain that he has agreed to become the voice of the delicious Robert and company, because his velvety tones and talents are perfect. IMO it could only have been a Scottish actor who could interpret and deliver the subtle differences in the many and varied dialects present in Maggie Craig’s wonderful story. Mr. Worsley delivers a flawless performance with aplomb, switching between the vast cast of characters with ease.
Performing the outwardly irascible, sarcastic and impatient Robert Catto at his worst must, I think, be an actors dream. But he also expertly and flawlessly switches between the quicksilver changes of mood in the unpredictable Robert. It takes only a slight lowering of voice and intonation, and the world weary young soldier disappears revealing a more vulnerable young man. Then, with a slight lowering in voice and an almost imperceptible change in tone, and without the need for explanation, we are aware that Robert is indulging in his inner musings, once more worrying and voicing his misgivings and concerns to himself as to how the whole situation might implode - how Scotland and Kirsty might suffer. And as his unwilling feelings for Kirsty Rankeillor become deeper, his worries intensify and his deep concern at the unthinkable outcome should she be discovered in the clandestine activities he suspects her of.
Professor Rankeillor, Kirsty’s father is a fine example of Steve Worsley’s vocal talents and versatility. The professor is a man of letters, compassionate to his fellow man and protective of his daughter, colleagues and household. He’s also no fool; he has at one point in the story to hide behind a drunken charade in an attempt to fool the haughty young Captain Catto as to his whereabouts. Steve Worsley does a sterling job in carrying out this particular scene, adopting an older facade - the air is fraught with tension as he carries out a conversation between Kirsty, Robert, Jamie and the professor. But one of my very favourite scenes is a flashback in which we hear the Professor patiently explaining the facts of life to his motherless, eleven year old daughter. Mr. Worsley imbues an embarrassed but determined Rankeillor with a fatherly tenderness which actually brings tears to the eyes as a young and childish Kirsty asks questions of her squirming father; Kirsty, used to her father’s straight talking, is fascinated by his anatomically accurate description of hypothetical events that she may, in the future, have to contend with. The Professor’s embarrassment is clear, but it’s a particularly moving piece of work and the narrator voices the very young and curious Kirsty with a sweet and childish lilt to her voice, as she earnestly questions him about his revelations.
There are too many characters to mention individually but I can only urge anyone who has not experienced Maggie Craig’s fabulous Storm over Scotland series to hesitate no longer. Both Gathering Storm and Dance to the Storm are available in e format, print and audio. I’m told that Storm Tossed Moon is forthcoming and I can hardly wait for the final book which will complete this wonderful trilogy. Maggie Craig and Steve Worsley are a fabulous team and I cannot recommend the two audio books in this series so far highly enough. If you haven’t yet sampled the fabulous writing of Scottish historian Maggie Craig, please do, because you’re in for a treat and you won’t be disappointed.
March 26, 2024
NOTE: this review is of the 2020 version of this audiobook. I have previously published a review of the older version Gathering Storm, which is no longer available.
I've given this a B+ for narration and an A for content, so I'm rounding up.
I first reviewed Maggie Craig’s Gathering Storm when it was released in audiobook format back in 2015, in the version narrated by James Bryce (which is no longer available). I enjoyed the story a great deal, but had a number of reservations about the narration; one that the pacing was very slow, but most importantly, that the narrator was not able to effectively portray the hero of the story, Robert Catto, who, rather than a virile young man just shy of twenty-five, sounded like a grizzled old campaigner in his forties.
When the author released the sequel –Dance to the Storm – last year, she opted to self-publish and selected a narrator much more suited to the material. Ms. Craig has now had Gathering Storm re-recorded by Steve Worsley and was kind enough to send me a copy. Given I’d so enjoyed the story, but felt let down by the narration, I decided to revise my original review to reflect the change. Gathering Storm is a terrific book, and it deserves to reach a wide audience; the historical backdrop is meticulously researched and skilfully incorporated, there’s a star-crossed romance, political intrigue, secrets, lies and betrayal, and an intensely charismatic leading man, things which combine to make this a must for fans of well-written romantic historical fiction.
From my original review:
Set in Edinburgh in December 1743, the story opens as Robert Catto, Captain of the Edinburgh City Guard embarks upon a raid on Surgeons’ Hall at the Infirmary, seeking to find evidence of illegal dissections. Finding nothing, he moves on to the home of Patrick Rankeillor, respected surgeon-apothecary, where he encounters Rankeillor’s daughter Christian (Kirsty) who is infuriated by his insolent manner and declared intention to search the house. Robert is deliberately rude, crude and deeply unpleasant to Kirsty and the other women of the household, clearly not above using intimidation to get the information he seeks.
We learn shortly after this that Robert’s actual mission has nothing to do with cadavers and everything to do with the unstable political situation in the country at this time. He has been called back from fighting in Europe by the Lord President of Scotland in order to hunt down a Jacobite agent. The Lord President wants to preserve the peace and encourage the growth of stability and prosperity in Scotland, but divisions are running deep, emotions are running high and the Jacobites look set to plunge the country into civil war. It’s therefore essential that he gathers all the information he can about the current level of support for the Jacobite cause in Edinburgh.
Rankeillor, his assistant James Buchan, his daughter, and all those in his immediate circle are known to be dedicated to the restoration of a Stuart monarch to the British throne, and Robert is sure that they are hiding the agent until such time as he can be safely spirited away from the city.
During the course of an eventful week, Robert finds himself thrown increasingly into the company of Miss Rankeillor, and it’s not long before others are noticing that they are striking sparks off each other like there’s no tomorrow. Kirsty is no simpering miss and refuses to cower under Robert’s continued onslaught of sarcasm and thinly veiled disdain, things he affects in an attempt to put a stop to his growing interest in her. They are on opposite sides; she is committed to a cause Robert has good reason to hate, so their mutual attraction can go nowhere and they both know it. But that attraction is so strong, it’s impossible to deny. The captain also finds himself drawn into the murky underside of the city when he investigates the murder of a young prostitute and, in pursuit of his aim to appear as though he might actually be sympathetic to the Jacobite cause himself, to join a kind of gentleman’s club in which the men are no gentlemen at all when it comes to the women they procure and use for their entertainment.
I’m not going to say any more about the mystery as I don’t want to spoil it, but Ms Craig very skilfully draws together her different plotlines as the story progresses. The romance between Robert and Kirsty is fairly low-key, but it builds continually throughout, reaching a satisfactory conclusion at the end, but leaving room for further development in the next book.
Ms Craig’s writing is captivating, and, as I had been told [by those who had recommended the book to me], she brings the sights, sounds – and smells – of Edinburgh to life in such a way as to put the listener right in the middle of it. All the characters are strongly written and Robert Catto is a very charismatic and memorable hero. He’s not Mr Perfect by any means – he’s got a nasty temper, a sharp tongue and can be ruthless when in pursuit of his goal, but he is also compassionate, extremely honourable and loyal; he is definitely one of those characters whose flaws make him that much more human.
Having enjoyed Steve Worsley’s performance in Dance to the Storm, I was sure of an equally good performance here. He has a very attractive, mildly accented voice that’s easy to listen to, and his enunciation is clear, so there’s no problem in understanding any of the dialogue, even those words and phrases spoken by characters with stronger dialects and accents. The story boasts a fairly large secondary cast, and Mr. Worsley skilfully differentiates them all, usually by means of tone and accent rather than pitch; he varies the accents according to where the characters come from and their status, and it’s easy to work out who is saying what in group conversations. His female voices are generally good; he doesn’t make big changes in pitch, but he does soften his tone and alter his speech rhythms, which usually works well – although there were a few times I needed dialogue tags specifically to identify the female characters because they’re performed in the same register as some of the men. The best thing of all though, is his portrayal of Robert Catto, which is spot on; his mercurial, no-nonsense, sharp-tongued, but deeply honourable personality is perfectly captured, and he makes for a dynamic, sexy hero. Because he’s lived away from Scotland for many years, he speaks with a cultured English accent (with an occasional Scots inflection), which is well-sustained, and Mr. Worsely also does a great job in showing the softer side Robert rarely shows to anyone in his interactions with Kirsty and young Geordie. The slow burn romance between Robert and Kirsty is just coming to a boil in this book, but Mr. Worsley expertly communicates their growing connection in their scenes together.
Maggie Craig is a superb storyteller and her grasp of the historical and political background against which she has set her tale is unparalleled. In my 2015 review, I closed by saying that Gathering Storm was a book best experienced in print, but now I’m happy to reverse that opinion and give a wholehearted recommendation to this new audiobook version.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
I've given this a B+ for narration and an A for content, so I'm rounding up.
I first reviewed Maggie Craig’s Gathering Storm when it was released in audiobook format back in 2015, in the version narrated by James Bryce (which is no longer available). I enjoyed the story a great deal, but had a number of reservations about the narration; one that the pacing was very slow, but most importantly, that the narrator was not able to effectively portray the hero of the story, Robert Catto, who, rather than a virile young man just shy of twenty-five, sounded like a grizzled old campaigner in his forties.
When the author released the sequel –Dance to the Storm – last year, she opted to self-publish and selected a narrator much more suited to the material. Ms. Craig has now had Gathering Storm re-recorded by Steve Worsley and was kind enough to send me a copy. Given I’d so enjoyed the story, but felt let down by the narration, I decided to revise my original review to reflect the change. Gathering Storm is a terrific book, and it deserves to reach a wide audience; the historical backdrop is meticulously researched and skilfully incorporated, there’s a star-crossed romance, political intrigue, secrets, lies and betrayal, and an intensely charismatic leading man, things which combine to make this a must for fans of well-written romantic historical fiction.
From my original review:
Set in Edinburgh in December 1743, the story opens as Robert Catto, Captain of the Edinburgh City Guard embarks upon a raid on Surgeons’ Hall at the Infirmary, seeking to find evidence of illegal dissections. Finding nothing, he moves on to the home of Patrick Rankeillor, respected surgeon-apothecary, where he encounters Rankeillor’s daughter Christian (Kirsty) who is infuriated by his insolent manner and declared intention to search the house. Robert is deliberately rude, crude and deeply unpleasant to Kirsty and the other women of the household, clearly not above using intimidation to get the information he seeks.
We learn shortly after this that Robert’s actual mission has nothing to do with cadavers and everything to do with the unstable political situation in the country at this time. He has been called back from fighting in Europe by the Lord President of Scotland in order to hunt down a Jacobite agent. The Lord President wants to preserve the peace and encourage the growth of stability and prosperity in Scotland, but divisions are running deep, emotions are running high and the Jacobites look set to plunge the country into civil war. It’s therefore essential that he gathers all the information he can about the current level of support for the Jacobite cause in Edinburgh.
Rankeillor, his assistant James Buchan, his daughter, and all those in his immediate circle are known to be dedicated to the restoration of a Stuart monarch to the British throne, and Robert is sure that they are hiding the agent until such time as he can be safely spirited away from the city.
During the course of an eventful week, Robert finds himself thrown increasingly into the company of Miss Rankeillor, and it’s not long before others are noticing that they are striking sparks off each other like there’s no tomorrow. Kirsty is no simpering miss and refuses to cower under Robert’s continued onslaught of sarcasm and thinly veiled disdain, things he affects in an attempt to put a stop to his growing interest in her. They are on opposite sides; she is committed to a cause Robert has good reason to hate, so their mutual attraction can go nowhere and they both know it. But that attraction is so strong, it’s impossible to deny. The captain also finds himself drawn into the murky underside of the city when he investigates the murder of a young prostitute and, in pursuit of his aim to appear as though he might actually be sympathetic to the Jacobite cause himself, to join a kind of gentleman’s club in which the men are no gentlemen at all when it comes to the women they procure and use for their entertainment.
I’m not going to say any more about the mystery as I don’t want to spoil it, but Ms Craig very skilfully draws together her different plotlines as the story progresses. The romance between Robert and Kirsty is fairly low-key, but it builds continually throughout, reaching a satisfactory conclusion at the end, but leaving room for further development in the next book.
Ms Craig’s writing is captivating, and, as I had been told [by those who had recommended the book to me], she brings the sights, sounds – and smells – of Edinburgh to life in such a way as to put the listener right in the middle of it. All the characters are strongly written and Robert Catto is a very charismatic and memorable hero. He’s not Mr Perfect by any means – he’s got a nasty temper, a sharp tongue and can be ruthless when in pursuit of his goal, but he is also compassionate, extremely honourable and loyal; he is definitely one of those characters whose flaws make him that much more human.
Having enjoyed Steve Worsley’s performance in Dance to the Storm, I was sure of an equally good performance here. He has a very attractive, mildly accented voice that’s easy to listen to, and his enunciation is clear, so there’s no problem in understanding any of the dialogue, even those words and phrases spoken by characters with stronger dialects and accents. The story boasts a fairly large secondary cast, and Mr. Worsley skilfully differentiates them all, usually by means of tone and accent rather than pitch; he varies the accents according to where the characters come from and their status, and it’s easy to work out who is saying what in group conversations. His female voices are generally good; he doesn’t make big changes in pitch, but he does soften his tone and alter his speech rhythms, which usually works well – although there were a few times I needed dialogue tags specifically to identify the female characters because they’re performed in the same register as some of the men. The best thing of all though, is his portrayal of Robert Catto, which is spot on; his mercurial, no-nonsense, sharp-tongued, but deeply honourable personality is perfectly captured, and he makes for a dynamic, sexy hero. Because he’s lived away from Scotland for many years, he speaks with a cultured English accent (with an occasional Scots inflection), which is well-sustained, and Mr. Worsely also does a great job in showing the softer side Robert rarely shows to anyone in his interactions with Kirsty and young Geordie. The slow burn romance between Robert and Kirsty is just coming to a boil in this book, but Mr. Worsley expertly communicates their growing connection in their scenes together.
Maggie Craig is a superb storyteller and her grasp of the historical and political background against which she has set her tale is unparalleled. In my 2015 review, I closed by saying that Gathering Storm was a book best experienced in print, but now I’m happy to reverse that opinion and give a wholehearted recommendation to this new audiobook version.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
May 16, 2021
This book came highly recommended by my friend, Wendy Loveridge, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed because Maggie Craig is a superb writer. The first book in the
Storm Over Scotland
series, GATHERING STORM is an engrossing story with multi-layered characters, a meticulously researched historical setting and a star-crossed romance.
Edinburgh in 1743 is the backdrop to the story and Ms. Craig brings this historical setting vividly to life with her evocative writing and obvious in-depth knowledge of her subject. I could easily visualise the narrow, winding streets and smell their foulness, and I like how she doesn’t shy away from showing the dark underbelly of the town - the grim lives of those women forced to eke out a living anyway they can, and the depravity of those wealthy men who believed that their rank gave them the right to do whatever they wanted without consequences. It’s also a town of divided loyalties with the Jacobites who support the restoration of the exiled Stuart king on one side, and those who support the Hanoverian king in London on the other. It all combines to create the perfect setting for a fascinating story of political intrigue, murder, danger and betrayal.
What I love about Robert Catto is that he’s such a complex character. He is something of a mystery because, despite being born a Scot, he has spent half his life in the army, serving King George II. It’s clear that his reluctance to return to his homeland stems from something that happened in his youth; something so life-changing that he has done everything to conceal his past and his true identity.
At face value, it would would be easy to dislike Robert. In the scene where he breaks into Professor Rankeillor’s house and is confronted by an incensed Christian (Kirsty), he’s rude, sarcastic, belligerent and coarse. It is only later that I discovered he has every reason to hate the Jacobite cause on a personal level. He regards the Jacobites as dreamers and fools who have no conception of the realities of war, but Robert has seen first hand the horrific consequences of war, while fighting in Europe, and will do whatever he must to prevent a civil war in Scotland, and the bloodshed that would follow. It helped me to understand his motivations and, as the story unfolds, I began to see another side to him - a man who is honourable, loyal and caring, although he hides it well. I like how he realises how he can make a difference to Geordie’s life by treating him with respect and kindness, and I saw his compassion towards Geordie’s sister after her ordeal. Robert might be a hardened soldier, but he would always protect those who needed it.
Kirsty is very close to her father and she had an unconventional upbringing because he actively encouraged her interest in medicine. She helps him in his apothecary shop and has no qualms about observing a dissection. She’s intelligent and capable with a kind heart, but she’s no wilting lily and doesn’t crumble under Robert’s confrontational behaviour. I admired her fierce loyalty to her father but she did seem heedless of the potential consequences of helping the Jacobite spy.
As Robert and Kirsty are thrown into each other’s company more and more, a strong attraction sparks between them, one they know is going nowhere...
Wrong time, wrong place. Wrong man, wrong woman. Wrong situation.
...but one they are helpless to ignore.
Fully aware of the danger Kirsty is in, Robert is determined to keep her safe regardless of the huge risk to himself.
There is a strong cast of secondary characters who all add depth to the story. I particularly liked Duncan Forbes of Culloden, the Lord President of Scotland, an honourable and wise man, who cares about Scotland and doesn’t want to see it plunged into civil war, and Geordie Smart, the young cook boy who brings out Robert’s softer side, was certainly a scene stealer.
The various plot threads running through the story often seem unconnected and I love how Ms. Craig skilfully draws them all together to provide a surprise revelation that I certainly didn’t see coming. There are just enough threads left hanging to make me eager to read the second book, DANCE TO THE STORM and, of course, see what happens to Robert and Kirsty.
MY VERDICT: This was a superbly written story which skilfully blends history, political intrigue, mystery, danger and a star-crossed romance between a Redcoat Captain and a Jacobite lady. Highly recommended.
Edinburgh in 1743 is the backdrop to the story and Ms. Craig brings this historical setting vividly to life with her evocative writing and obvious in-depth knowledge of her subject. I could easily visualise the narrow, winding streets and smell their foulness, and I like how she doesn’t shy away from showing the dark underbelly of the town - the grim lives of those women forced to eke out a living anyway they can, and the depravity of those wealthy men who believed that their rank gave them the right to do whatever they wanted without consequences. It’s also a town of divided loyalties with the Jacobites who support the restoration of the exiled Stuart king on one side, and those who support the Hanoverian king in London on the other. It all combines to create the perfect setting for a fascinating story of political intrigue, murder, danger and betrayal.
What I love about Robert Catto is that he’s such a complex character. He is something of a mystery because, despite being born a Scot, he has spent half his life in the army, serving King George II. It’s clear that his reluctance to return to his homeland stems from something that happened in his youth; something so life-changing that he has done everything to conceal his past and his true identity.
At face value, it would would be easy to dislike Robert. In the scene where he breaks into Professor Rankeillor’s house and is confronted by an incensed Christian (Kirsty), he’s rude, sarcastic, belligerent and coarse. It is only later that I discovered he has every reason to hate the Jacobite cause on a personal level. He regards the Jacobites as dreamers and fools who have no conception of the realities of war, but Robert has seen first hand the horrific consequences of war, while fighting in Europe, and will do whatever he must to prevent a civil war in Scotland, and the bloodshed that would follow. It helped me to understand his motivations and, as the story unfolds, I began to see another side to him - a man who is honourable, loyal and caring, although he hides it well. I like how he realises how he can make a difference to Geordie’s life by treating him with respect and kindness, and I saw his compassion towards Geordie’s sister after her ordeal. Robert might be a hardened soldier, but he would always protect those who needed it.
Kirsty is very close to her father and she had an unconventional upbringing because he actively encouraged her interest in medicine. She helps him in his apothecary shop and has no qualms about observing a dissection. She’s intelligent and capable with a kind heart, but she’s no wilting lily and doesn’t crumble under Robert’s confrontational behaviour. I admired her fierce loyalty to her father but she did seem heedless of the potential consequences of helping the Jacobite spy.
As Robert and Kirsty are thrown into each other’s company more and more, a strong attraction sparks between them, one they know is going nowhere...
Wrong time, wrong place. Wrong man, wrong woman. Wrong situation.
...but one they are helpless to ignore.
Fully aware of the danger Kirsty is in, Robert is determined to keep her safe regardless of the huge risk to himself.
There is a strong cast of secondary characters who all add depth to the story. I particularly liked Duncan Forbes of Culloden, the Lord President of Scotland, an honourable and wise man, who cares about Scotland and doesn’t want to see it plunged into civil war, and Geordie Smart, the young cook boy who brings out Robert’s softer side, was certainly a scene stealer.
The various plot threads running through the story often seem unconnected and I love how Ms. Craig skilfully draws them all together to provide a surprise revelation that I certainly didn’t see coming. There are just enough threads left hanging to make me eager to read the second book, DANCE TO THE STORM and, of course, see what happens to Robert and Kirsty.
MY VERDICT: This was a superbly written story which skilfully blends history, political intrigue, mystery, danger and a star-crossed romance between a Redcoat Captain and a Jacobite lady. Highly recommended.
August 6, 2024
Review from 2015
C+ for narration /A for content, so I'm leaving it at 4 stars.
I’ve had this title on my TBR pile for some time, but haven’t found time to read it yet, so when I saw it had been released in audio format, I grabbed it immediately. The book came very highly recommended and the author has a reputation for meticulous research and the ability to expertly immerse her readers into the historical periods about which she writes, so I was looking forward to listening to Gathering Storm with high hopes.
I’m not going to say those hopes were dashed – the story itself is very good indeed – but the audiobook as a whole turned out to be disappointing because the narrator, while very good on some levels, is not a good fit on others.
Set in Edinburgh in December 1743, the story opens as Robert Catto, Captain of the Edinburgh City Guard embarks upon a raid on Surgeons’ Hall at the Infirmary, seeking to find evidence of illegal dissections. Finding nothing, he moves on to the home of Patrick Rankeillor, respected surgeon-apothecary, where he encounters Rankeillor’s daughter Christian (Kirsty) who is infuriated by his insolent manner and declared intention to search the house. Robert is deliberately rude, crude and deeply unpleasant to Kirsty and the other women of the household, clearly not above using intimidation to get the information he seeks.
We learn shortly after this that Robert’s actual mission has nothing to do with cadavers and everything to do with the unstable political situation in the country at this time. He has been called back from fighting in Europe by the Lord President of Scotland in order to hunt down a Jacobite agent. The Lord President wants to preserve the peace and encourage the growth of stability and prosperity in Scotland, but divisions are running deep, emotions are running high and the Jacobites look set to plunge the country into civil war. It’s therefore essential that he gathers all the information he can about the current level of support for the Jacobite cause in Edinburgh.
Rankeillor, his assistant James Buchan, his daughter and all those in his immediate circle are known to be dedicated to the restoration of a Stuart monarch to the British throne, and Robert is sure that they are hiding the agent until such time as he can be safely spirited away from the city.
During the course of an eventful week, Robert finds himself thrown increasingly into the company of Miss Rankeillor, and it’s not long before others are noticing that they are striking sparks off each other like there’s no tomorrow. Kirsty is no simpering miss and refuses to cower under Robert’s continued onslaught of sarcasm and thinly veiled disdain, things he affects in an attempt to put a stop to his growing interest in her. They are on opposite sides; she is committed to a cause Robert has good reason to hate, so their mutual attraction can go nowhere and they both know it. But that attraction is so strong, it’s impossible to deny. The captain also finds himself drawn into the murky underside of the city when he investigates the murder of a young prostitute and, in pursuit of his aim to appear as though he might actually be sympathetic to the Jacobite cause himself, to join a kind of gentleman’s club in which the men are no gentlemen at all when it comes to the women they procure and use for their entertainment.
I’m not going to say any more about the mystery as I don’t want to spoil it, but Ms Craig very skilfully draws together her different plotlines as the story progresses. The romance between Robert and Kirsty is fairly low-key, but it builds continually throughout, reaching a satisfactory conclusion at the end, but leaving room for further development in the next book.
Ms Craig’s writing is captivating, and, as I had been told, she brings the sights, sounds – and smells – of Edinburgh to life in such a way as to put the listener right in the middle of it. All the characters are strongly written and Robert Catto is a very charismatic and memorable hero. He’s not Mr Perfect by any means – he’s got a nasty temper, a sharp tongue and can be ruthless when in pursuit of his goal, but he is also compassionate, extremely honourable and loyal; he is definitely one of those characters whose flaws make him that much more human.
It’s always a shame when an excellent story is paired with a narrator who isn’t quite right for it. That’s not to say James Bryce gives a poor performance – because that’s not entirely the case. He differentiates very well between the numerous characters and performs the different Scottish accents and dialects with consummate skill (I am assuming he’s a native Scot), as well as injecting a good deal of emotional nuance into his performance. I will say, however, that anyone who isn’t used to listening to highly accented words and phrases might have a little trouble understanding phrases such as: “And it would tak mair than callants like yon tae frichten me.” Or – “Ye ken fine he was going oot this evening, Miss Kirsty. Tae converse wi’— Weel, I canna just mind wha he was going tae converse wi’.” These are easy to decipher written down, but when heard at a quick-fire pace, it may be difficult to work out exactly what is being said.
Mr Bryce portrays the female characters well for the most part, adopting a softened tone for Kirsty, and raising the pitch and thickening his accent to perform the streetwalkers and female servants. There is, however one female character who appears near the end of the novel for whom he has chosen not to adapt pitch, tone or timbre, for some reason, so she sounds like a man.
I’m afraid there are two larger issues which – for me, at least – outweigh the good in Mr Bryce’s performance. One is the pacing. This is a fifteen hour audiobook, and I am sure that it could have been whittled down to thirteen-and-a-half had the narrator not taken such…. looooooooong…. pauses…. at the end of almost every sentence. The narrative is on the slow side anyway, but the continual pauses made it even worse. In fact, I found it so annoying that I almost gave up listening to the book after the first hour or so; I couldn’t concentrate on what was being said and the story took that much longer to get going because the pauses and slow speed were so distracting. I listened to this on an mp3 player – perhaps if I’d listened using the Audible app and had been able to speed things up slightly, I might have found it easier going at the beginning, and I will admit that once the story really got going, and I became used to the speed and pauses, I found it easier to listen to. But I still kept zoning in and out and having to rewind, which isn’t the best way to experience an audiobook.
The other – and for me, biggest – problem is with something I rarely take issue with when it comes to narrations, but which had a severely negative impact on this audiobook.
Speaking as someone who is the wrong side of twenty-one and has been for more years than I care to remember (!), I don’t like to seem ageist. A skilled performer can make their characters sound whatever age they need to be, and I can only think of one other time I’ve had a problem with a narrator sounding too old. But there is absolutely no way Robert Catto sounds as though he is a few days short of twenty-five years of age. I knew that he was probably supposed to be younger than Mr Bryce makes him sound and I’d put him at mid-late thirties (at best), but when Robert gave his age as twenty-five, it skewed the whole audiobook for me. I thought I’d been listening to a grizzled old-soldier, and while Catto certainly has the experience of an old campaigner and has been in the army for most of his life, the impact that should have been made by the juxtaposition of his youth with his wide-ranging experience was completely lost. Also, while the romantic elements of the story are very much secondary to the mystery and political plots, the growing attraction between Robert and Kirsty also loses out because he sounds old enough to be her grandfather. Granted, Kirsty doesn’t sound especially youthful either, but it’s easier to make allowances for that when a male narrator is performing a female character.
Mr Bryce is obviously a skilled narrator, but wasn’t the right choice for this story, and I spent most of it thinking that James Langton (hint, hint for book two!) would have been a much better fit.
Ultimately, Gathering Storm is a book that’s best experienced in print. It’s a terrific story, full of political intrigue, conspiracy, treachery and deception, and Maggie Craig is a superb storyteller whose grasp of the historical and political background against which she has set her story is masterful. But I can’t give the audiobook a wholehearted recommendation.
C+ for narration /A for content, so I'm leaving it at 4 stars.
I’ve had this title on my TBR pile for some time, but haven’t found time to read it yet, so when I saw it had been released in audio format, I grabbed it immediately. The book came very highly recommended and the author has a reputation for meticulous research and the ability to expertly immerse her readers into the historical periods about which she writes, so I was looking forward to listening to Gathering Storm with high hopes.
I’m not going to say those hopes were dashed – the story itself is very good indeed – but the audiobook as a whole turned out to be disappointing because the narrator, while very good on some levels, is not a good fit on others.
Set in Edinburgh in December 1743, the story opens as Robert Catto, Captain of the Edinburgh City Guard embarks upon a raid on Surgeons’ Hall at the Infirmary, seeking to find evidence of illegal dissections. Finding nothing, he moves on to the home of Patrick Rankeillor, respected surgeon-apothecary, where he encounters Rankeillor’s daughter Christian (Kirsty) who is infuriated by his insolent manner and declared intention to search the house. Robert is deliberately rude, crude and deeply unpleasant to Kirsty and the other women of the household, clearly not above using intimidation to get the information he seeks.
We learn shortly after this that Robert’s actual mission has nothing to do with cadavers and everything to do with the unstable political situation in the country at this time. He has been called back from fighting in Europe by the Lord President of Scotland in order to hunt down a Jacobite agent. The Lord President wants to preserve the peace and encourage the growth of stability and prosperity in Scotland, but divisions are running deep, emotions are running high and the Jacobites look set to plunge the country into civil war. It’s therefore essential that he gathers all the information he can about the current level of support for the Jacobite cause in Edinburgh.
Rankeillor, his assistant James Buchan, his daughter and all those in his immediate circle are known to be dedicated to the restoration of a Stuart monarch to the British throne, and Robert is sure that they are hiding the agent until such time as he can be safely spirited away from the city.
During the course of an eventful week, Robert finds himself thrown increasingly into the company of Miss Rankeillor, and it’s not long before others are noticing that they are striking sparks off each other like there’s no tomorrow. Kirsty is no simpering miss and refuses to cower under Robert’s continued onslaught of sarcasm and thinly veiled disdain, things he affects in an attempt to put a stop to his growing interest in her. They are on opposite sides; she is committed to a cause Robert has good reason to hate, so their mutual attraction can go nowhere and they both know it. But that attraction is so strong, it’s impossible to deny. The captain also finds himself drawn into the murky underside of the city when he investigates the murder of a young prostitute and, in pursuit of his aim to appear as though he might actually be sympathetic to the Jacobite cause himself, to join a kind of gentleman’s club in which the men are no gentlemen at all when it comes to the women they procure and use for their entertainment.
I’m not going to say any more about the mystery as I don’t want to spoil it, but Ms Craig very skilfully draws together her different plotlines as the story progresses. The romance between Robert and Kirsty is fairly low-key, but it builds continually throughout, reaching a satisfactory conclusion at the end, but leaving room for further development in the next book.
Ms Craig’s writing is captivating, and, as I had been told, she brings the sights, sounds – and smells – of Edinburgh to life in such a way as to put the listener right in the middle of it. All the characters are strongly written and Robert Catto is a very charismatic and memorable hero. He’s not Mr Perfect by any means – he’s got a nasty temper, a sharp tongue and can be ruthless when in pursuit of his goal, but he is also compassionate, extremely honourable and loyal; he is definitely one of those characters whose flaws make him that much more human.
It’s always a shame when an excellent story is paired with a narrator who isn’t quite right for it. That’s not to say James Bryce gives a poor performance – because that’s not entirely the case. He differentiates very well between the numerous characters and performs the different Scottish accents and dialects with consummate skill (I am assuming he’s a native Scot), as well as injecting a good deal of emotional nuance into his performance. I will say, however, that anyone who isn’t used to listening to highly accented words and phrases might have a little trouble understanding phrases such as: “And it would tak mair than callants like yon tae frichten me.” Or – “Ye ken fine he was going oot this evening, Miss Kirsty. Tae converse wi’— Weel, I canna just mind wha he was going tae converse wi’.” These are easy to decipher written down, but when heard at a quick-fire pace, it may be difficult to work out exactly what is being said.
Mr Bryce portrays the female characters well for the most part, adopting a softened tone for Kirsty, and raising the pitch and thickening his accent to perform the streetwalkers and female servants. There is, however one female character who appears near the end of the novel for whom he has chosen not to adapt pitch, tone or timbre, for some reason, so she sounds like a man.
I’m afraid there are two larger issues which – for me, at least – outweigh the good in Mr Bryce’s performance. One is the pacing. This is a fifteen hour audiobook, and I am sure that it could have been whittled down to thirteen-and-a-half had the narrator not taken such…. looooooooong…. pauses…. at the end of almost every sentence. The narrative is on the slow side anyway, but the continual pauses made it even worse. In fact, I found it so annoying that I almost gave up listening to the book after the first hour or so; I couldn’t concentrate on what was being said and the story took that much longer to get going because the pauses and slow speed were so distracting. I listened to this on an mp3 player – perhaps if I’d listened using the Audible app and had been able to speed things up slightly, I might have found it easier going at the beginning, and I will admit that once the story really got going, and I became used to the speed and pauses, I found it easier to listen to. But I still kept zoning in and out and having to rewind, which isn’t the best way to experience an audiobook.
The other – and for me, biggest – problem is with something I rarely take issue with when it comes to narrations, but which had a severely negative impact on this audiobook.
Speaking as someone who is the wrong side of twenty-one and has been for more years than I care to remember (!), I don’t like to seem ageist. A skilled performer can make their characters sound whatever age they need to be, and I can only think of one other time I’ve had a problem with a narrator sounding too old. But there is absolutely no way Robert Catto sounds as though he is a few days short of twenty-five years of age. I knew that he was probably supposed to be younger than Mr Bryce makes him sound and I’d put him at mid-late thirties (at best), but when Robert gave his age as twenty-five, it skewed the whole audiobook for me. I thought I’d been listening to a grizzled old-soldier, and while Catto certainly has the experience of an old campaigner and has been in the army for most of his life, the impact that should have been made by the juxtaposition of his youth with his wide-ranging experience was completely lost. Also, while the romantic elements of the story are very much secondary to the mystery and political plots, the growing attraction between Robert and Kirsty also loses out because he sounds old enough to be her grandfather. Granted, Kirsty doesn’t sound especially youthful either, but it’s easier to make allowances for that when a male narrator is performing a female character.
Mr Bryce is obviously a skilled narrator, but wasn’t the right choice for this story, and I spent most of it thinking that James Langton (hint, hint for book two!) would have been a much better fit.
Ultimately, Gathering Storm is a book that’s best experienced in print. It’s a terrific story, full of political intrigue, conspiracy, treachery and deception, and Maggie Craig is a superb storyteller whose grasp of the historical and political background against which she has set her story is masterful. But I can’t give the audiobook a wholehearted recommendation.
July 31, 2015
I absolutely loved this, my only complaint is that I have to wait for the next part of the story. Thank you so much Wendy L for recommending this one, it was a fantastic read.
So, what was so great? Well, the setting for a start - Edinburgh in 1743, before the New Town was built, a town split down the middle by those for the King across the Water, and those for the one in London. Then there was Captain Robert Catto, dark, incredibly sexy (that hair!), troubled, his loyalties divided, but at the same time a brilliantly believable soldier. He was not a nice hero. He's a hero who swears, and who kills, and who hangs out with ladies of the night - a lot. He can be unkind, he can even be deliberately cruel, but at heart he is true to himself, and in that sense a good man. Then there was the heroine, Kirsty/Christian, another flawed but attractive character, sometimes stupidly loyal, always struggling to do the right thing, put in the middle of a terrible dilemma by her father and her father's apprentice who was also her best friend. Then there's the rest of the cast, some historical characters some purely fictional, all brilliantly drawn. And finally the story itself, which resonates now, as Scotland struggles to define itself once more after a referendum, just as much as it does historically - what kind of country are we, what kind of people - then as now, feelings run very high, families are divided.
Did I say that I loved this? A fantastic read, one of the best books I've come across in ages, I just can't wait for the next one.
So, what was so great? Well, the setting for a start - Edinburgh in 1743, before the New Town was built, a town split down the middle by those for the King across the Water, and those for the one in London. Then there was Captain Robert Catto, dark, incredibly sexy (that hair!), troubled, his loyalties divided, but at the same time a brilliantly believable soldier. He was not a nice hero. He's a hero who swears, and who kills, and who hangs out with ladies of the night - a lot. He can be unkind, he can even be deliberately cruel, but at heart he is true to himself, and in that sense a good man. Then there was the heroine, Kirsty/Christian, another flawed but attractive character, sometimes stupidly loyal, always struggling to do the right thing, put in the middle of a terrible dilemma by her father and her father's apprentice who was also her best friend. Then there's the rest of the cast, some historical characters some purely fictional, all brilliantly drawn. And finally the story itself, which resonates now, as Scotland struggles to define itself once more after a referendum, just as much as it does historically - what kind of country are we, what kind of people - then as now, feelings run very high, families are divided.
Did I say that I loved this? A fantastic read, one of the best books I've come across in ages, I just can't wait for the next one.
October 21, 2020
I am totally intrigued with this time in history. This story is not primarily a romance, although there is a romance simmering in the background. It is a combination of historical fiction, mystery and a bit of romance I would say. When I first started reading, I admit I was a little put off by some of the language used by Captain Robert Catto (English Redcoat military), who would be our hero. There were a couple of scenes/conversations that many would describe as crude I think. But I kept going and found I liked Robert more and more as the book went on and came to realize that his actions were all by design...he meant to unnerve Kirsty. Kirsty (Jacobite sympathizer) was also a great character and I really enjoyed learning a bit more about the Scottish/English struggles of that time. This book is not fluff by any means..it's gritty and dark for the most part but exactly what I have come to prefer.
I guess I timed this just about right since the second book in the series was just released Dance to the Storm and this book was first released in 2014. I can get right into "Dance to the Storm" and I am certainly looking forward to it.
I guess I timed this just about right since the second book in the series was just released Dance to the Storm and this book was first released in 2014. I can get right into "Dance to the Storm" and I am certainly looking forward to it.
January 17, 2014
Edinburgh, 1743, is a scheming hotchpotch of political intrigue. The ever present threat of English interference doesn’t sit comfortably with those Jacobites whose preference for the Scottish king ‘across the water’ relies heavily of subterfuge and clandestine meetings. When Redcoat officer Robert Catto is enticed back to Scotland, from the wars in Europe, ostensibly to join the Edinburgh Town Guard, his real mission, to assess the strength of the Jacobite threat, will prove to be an enormous challenge.
Christian Rankeillor is the daughter of the Edinburgh surgeon-apothecary, Patrick Rankeillor, a known Jacobite. She is feisty, determined and no shrinking violet when it comes to the seamier side of Edinburgh life, and together with her father, and his apprentice, James Buchan, she helps to hide a Jacobite agent with a price on his head.
The gradual layering of the story as Robert Catto and Christian Rankeillor’s world start to collide and coalesce takes place over the course of a very eventful week, when the Edinburgh Jacobites are at the heart of conspiracy, deception and despicable murder.
Overall, Gathering Storm is a really enjoyable depiction of this troubled time in Scottish history. There is a real authenticity to the story as the author has with great skill used her considerable knowledge of the period to bring together a very credible story. Edinburgh comes alive; its cobbled streets and dark and damp alleyways form the backdrop to a story which abounds with intrigue, political mayhem and clandestine skulduggery.
Well worth reading.
Interview with the author
http://jaffareadstoo.blogspot.co.uk/2...
Christian Rankeillor is the daughter of the Edinburgh surgeon-apothecary, Patrick Rankeillor, a known Jacobite. She is feisty, determined and no shrinking violet when it comes to the seamier side of Edinburgh life, and together with her father, and his apprentice, James Buchan, she helps to hide a Jacobite agent with a price on his head.
The gradual layering of the story as Robert Catto and Christian Rankeillor’s world start to collide and coalesce takes place over the course of a very eventful week, when the Edinburgh Jacobites are at the heart of conspiracy, deception and despicable murder.
Overall, Gathering Storm is a really enjoyable depiction of this troubled time in Scottish history. There is a real authenticity to the story as the author has with great skill used her considerable knowledge of the period to bring together a very credible story. Edinburgh comes alive; its cobbled streets and dark and damp alleyways form the backdrop to a story which abounds with intrigue, political mayhem and clandestine skulduggery.
Well worth reading.
Interview with the author
http://jaffareadstoo.blogspot.co.uk/2...
December 19, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novel set in Edinburgh, 1743. Full of intrigue and deception, the plot includes anatomists and secret dissections, Jacobite supporters, prostitutes, secret societies, and non-stop plotting and scheming. On top of all that, there's a romance brewing between two people on opposite sides of the political spectrum, but can they justify their feelings when their duty demands mistrust and betrayal?
I learned a great deal about the time period and felt that I could really see and smell 18th century Edinburgh. Highly recommended!
I learned a great deal about the time period and felt that I could really see and smell 18th century Edinburgh. Highly recommended!
attempted-not-for-me
October 4, 2016I don't know if it's the audio narration or the book itself, but Catto is totally skeeving me out. I can't listen to this guy any more. Maybe I'll try the book itself again later.
September 28, 2015
1743, Edinburgh, Scotland. Former Lieutenant Captain Robert Bob Catto (Town Guard, Redcoat), has fought in many Wars.
Duncan Forbes (Culloden) is the Lord President.
Duncan has now appointed & made Captain Robert Bob Catto in charge of the Town Guard.
His mission is to help fight against the political upheaval of the Jacobite threat.
Christian Kirsty Rankeillor (daughter), Patrick Rankeillor (father, surgeon-apothecary, Professor), & Jamie Buchan (apprentice, Balnamoon) are strong supporters of the Stuart Cause.
The trio are hiding a wanted Jacobite agent in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, which if caught the all will be hanged.
How will this clandestine operation turn out?
Is there a romance between Kirsty & Captain Catto brewing?
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violent or graphic adult content or profanity &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written 18th Century historical fiction book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great 18th Century adventure movie, or mini TV series (Masterpiece; PBS). 1 book you won’t want to put down. To be continued. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Alligin books; Autographed; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Duncan Forbes (Culloden) is the Lord President.
Duncan has now appointed & made Captain Robert Bob Catto in charge of the Town Guard.
His mission is to help fight against the political upheaval of the Jacobite threat.
Christian Kirsty Rankeillor (daughter), Patrick Rankeillor (father, surgeon-apothecary, Professor), & Jamie Buchan (apprentice, Balnamoon) are strong supporters of the Stuart Cause.
The trio are hiding a wanted Jacobite agent in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, which if caught the all will be hanged.
How will this clandestine operation turn out?
Is there a romance between Kirsty & Captain Catto brewing?
Warning: This book is for adults only & contains extreme violent or graphic adult content or profanity &/or sexually explicit scenarios. It may be offensive to some readers.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written 18th Century historical fiction book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great 18th Century adventure movie, or mini TV series (Masterpiece; PBS). 1 book you won’t want to put down. To be continued. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Alligin books; Autographed; paperback book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
May 20, 2017
Update: 21/5/17. I feel rather let down by the fact the publishers allowed Amazon/BD to put up a publishing/release date when the second book 'Dance to the Storm', wasn't even finished. The author admitted that on her own Twitter feed. I therefore have cancelled my pre-order, and am feeling rather depressed with the whole system.
On the one hand, I completely understand if the author is struggling to write the very best book that they can. And I'm happy to wait for said book.
But it is so frustrating to be given these timelines and expect them right up until the day when the publishers knew full well it wasn't going to happen. That is the hand that I'm disappointed, frustrated and angry at.
So, rant over. I guess I'll have to see if/when DTTS comes out, whether I will buy and read it.
I didn't review this book at the time, but I remember enjoying it.
What I don't enjoy is: pre-ordering the next book, receiving confirmation of order from BD/Amazon with a release date and therefore shipping date. Only to find its unavailable on said release date. When questioned, BD/Amazon state unknown reasons. After scrolling through the author's Twitter feed, i discover the book isn't finished.
Do I cancel my pre-order and get my money back then see how I'm feeling when/if the book is actually released? Or just wait without knowing when/if book will be published? (At the moment I'm leaning towards scenario 1).
On the one hand, I completely understand if the author is struggling to write the very best book that they can. And I'm happy to wait for said book.
But it is so frustrating to be given these timelines and expect them right up until the day when the publishers knew full well it wasn't going to happen. That is the hand that I'm disappointed, frustrated and angry at.
So, rant over. I guess I'll have to see if/when DTTS comes out, whether I will buy and read it.
I didn't review this book at the time, but I remember enjoying it.
What I don't enjoy is: pre-ordering the next book, receiving confirmation of order from BD/Amazon with a release date and therefore shipping date. Only to find its unavailable on said release date. When questioned, BD/Amazon state unknown reasons. After scrolling through the author's Twitter feed, i discover the book isn't finished.
Do I cancel my pre-order and get my money back then see how I'm feeling when/if the book is actually released? Or just wait without knowing when/if book will be published? (At the moment I'm leaning towards scenario 1).
November 10, 2013
first up thanks to goodreads for the review copy
I like historical books but i had a perception this would be mainly romance (not my favourite genre). Forget the preconceptions there's elements of crime, romance & politics all against a great historic backdrop of 1740's Edinburgh. It feels like a well researched book and oozes with the squallor of the period. Well developed characters and a good read especially if you have an interest in historic Edinburgh and/or historic events around the times of the Jacobites. Don't ignore on the basis this is just a period romance there's plenty more to this book. Recommended.
I like historical books but i had a perception this would be mainly romance (not my favourite genre). Forget the preconceptions there's elements of crime, romance & politics all against a great historic backdrop of 1740's Edinburgh. It feels like a well researched book and oozes with the squallor of the period. Well developed characters and a good read especially if you have an interest in historic Edinburgh and/or historic events around the times of the Jacobites. Don't ignore on the basis this is just a period romance there's plenty more to this book. Recommended.
March 12, 2021
Reviewing this book has proved somewhat of a challenge for me. Had I not been reading it for the purposes of review, I might well not have finished it. Equally, having read to the end, I find I'm still spending moments of my day with the characters, which is a sign of having read a good book. So why the conflicting views?
Let me start by saying there is no doubt that Ms Craig knows her subject inside out. Her research, and her ability to drop the reader firmly into the setting are of the highest standard. I found myself querying the use of the 'f' word, but then decided that the author, who is somewhat of an expert on the period, must be confident that it was used by such characters as Robert Catto. (And now might be a good time to add a general warning: there is worse language than this used in the book, as well as scenes of detailed sexual activity and violence.)*
So, why did I think I might not finish the book? It has to do with that research, which at times I felt slowed the pace of the narrative. Every item is described in detail, as is every action. In this book, people don't just pour the drinks, they stir, they put the vessel back down on the table, and we are even told the position of that table in the room. Along with this, there are very lengthy conversations - one conversation between Catto and his employer lasts for two chapters - and a great deal of the early part of the book is taken up with the characters discussing in detail what is about to happen, or cogitating on what has been said about what is to happen, or dreaming about the character with whom they'd had the conversation about what is going to happen...
Much, if not all, depends on the upcoming 'Daft Friday' ball, when the escape is planned and loyalties will be proven or disproven, and I began to wonder, given how intricately everything is described, there would be time to fit in all the details of the ball: those attending, what they were wearing, how they danced, etc. I also began to grow impatient with Robert Catto's numerous inner monologues about his family secrets.
And then... The day of the ball arrives, the pace quickens and everything falls into place. Throughout the book the main thread has been the Jacobite messenger and the attempts by various characters to get him out of the city, or apprehend him, depending on which side they're on. There's also been a murder, and more than one assault, and the question of whether these are connected and, indeed, whether they have anything to do with the main story...
Having assumed that I was about to be short-changed, having got to nearly the end of the book and knowing that this was the first in a series, I had resigned myself to being left with an annoying cliff-hanger. Not a bit of it. Ms Craig skilfully revealed the heart of all the various mysteries and plot-threads in a way which (no spoilers) took me completely by surprise! She tied up the narrative in a most satisfying way, whilst still allowing for the story to continue in the next volume. I went from thinking I didn't want to continue reading this book to being sad to close it at the end!
The back cover /Amazon blurb, (above) could, I feel, be better written. Two names mentioned are the same person, it gives a massive spoiler away, but then fails to mention something which is pivotal to the story.
Overall, this is an accomplished novel, which shows both sides of 18th-century Edinburgh: high society, and the city's underbelly. The way these two collide, and the merging of the murder mystery with the politics of the day, is interesting and was cleverly done. And afterwards it occurred to me that what seemed like slow scenes of long conversations is no doubt exactly how these characters would have conducted their business. I was, perhaps, impatient and I am extremely glad to have finished the book and witnessed the denouement. So a worthwhile read indeed!
Reviewed for Discovering Diamond
Let me start by saying there is no doubt that Ms Craig knows her subject inside out. Her research, and her ability to drop the reader firmly into the setting are of the highest standard. I found myself querying the use of the 'f' word, but then decided that the author, who is somewhat of an expert on the period, must be confident that it was used by such characters as Robert Catto. (And now might be a good time to add a general warning: there is worse language than this used in the book, as well as scenes of detailed sexual activity and violence.)*
So, why did I think I might not finish the book? It has to do with that research, which at times I felt slowed the pace of the narrative. Every item is described in detail, as is every action. In this book, people don't just pour the drinks, they stir, they put the vessel back down on the table, and we are even told the position of that table in the room. Along with this, there are very lengthy conversations - one conversation between Catto and his employer lasts for two chapters - and a great deal of the early part of the book is taken up with the characters discussing in detail what is about to happen, or cogitating on what has been said about what is to happen, or dreaming about the character with whom they'd had the conversation about what is going to happen...
Much, if not all, depends on the upcoming 'Daft Friday' ball, when the escape is planned and loyalties will be proven or disproven, and I began to wonder, given how intricately everything is described, there would be time to fit in all the details of the ball: those attending, what they were wearing, how they danced, etc. I also began to grow impatient with Robert Catto's numerous inner monologues about his family secrets.
And then... The day of the ball arrives, the pace quickens and everything falls into place. Throughout the book the main thread has been the Jacobite messenger and the attempts by various characters to get him out of the city, or apprehend him, depending on which side they're on. There's also been a murder, and more than one assault, and the question of whether these are connected and, indeed, whether they have anything to do with the main story...
Having assumed that I was about to be short-changed, having got to nearly the end of the book and knowing that this was the first in a series, I had resigned myself to being left with an annoying cliff-hanger. Not a bit of it. Ms Craig skilfully revealed the heart of all the various mysteries and plot-threads in a way which (no spoilers) took me completely by surprise! She tied up the narrative in a most satisfying way, whilst still allowing for the story to continue in the next volume. I went from thinking I didn't want to continue reading this book to being sad to close it at the end!
The back cover /Amazon blurb, (above) could, I feel, be better written. Two names mentioned are the same person, it gives a massive spoiler away, but then fails to mention something which is pivotal to the story.
Overall, this is an accomplished novel, which shows both sides of 18th-century Edinburgh: high society, and the city's underbelly. The way these two collide, and the merging of the murder mystery with the politics of the day, is interesting and was cleverly done. And afterwards it occurred to me that what seemed like slow scenes of long conversations is no doubt exactly how these characters would have conducted their business. I was, perhaps, impatient and I am extremely glad to have finished the book and witnessed the denouement. So a worthwhile read indeed!
Reviewed for Discovering Diamond
January 12, 2024
I heard about this series on FB and as a Scot I thought I'd have a listen on Audible. I'm so glad I did. This particular period (Jacobean) usually wouldn't interest me but this is such a compelling story I was very quickly drawn in. It is essentially a love story set in Edinburgh against the backdrop of plotting and conspiracy to reinstate Bonnie Prince Charlie to the throne of Scotland. It reminds me of the fantastic series by Stella Riley (Roundheads and Cavaliers) and S.G. McLean (The Seeker series) both highly immersive. The main characters in Maggie Craig's series are Captain of the City Guard Robert Catto and Kirsty Rankeillor daughter to a prominent surgeon and Jacobite devotee.
Steve Worsley is a masterful narrator and injects life into the fear, betrayals and agitation felt by the Scots in this period. I have already bought the second in the series but I will listen slowly because the third one has yet to be released!
Brilliant series, give it a go.
Steve Worsley is a masterful narrator and injects life into the fear, betrayals and agitation felt by the Scots in this period. I have already bought the second in the series but I will listen slowly because the third one has yet to be released!
Brilliant series, give it a go.
March 14, 2021
This was more romantic historical fiction than romance, but I was totally on board with that. Robert has to be one of the most authentic characterizations of a man of his time that I've read recently. He does things that make me uncomfortable, especially as a modern woman with modern sensibilities. Despite that I couldn't help but be drawn to him. He is sarcastic and irascible, yet fiercely protective of others and of doing his duty. Christian was equally likable as an intelligent, capable woman who is trying to stay true to her beliefs while protecting those she loves. I cannot wait to read more! I didn't realize this would be a trilogy when I started it so I am bummed to have to wait for the third to come out but will definitely read them all as they are published.
May 6, 2019
I loved this story. It had a great sense of place, a fascinating storyline and beautifully defined characters. It felt fresh and wholly believable. Like all good historical fiction it has made me keen to find out more about the real history of the time. I would not have come across this book if I had not found it on a Goodreads review. Thanks to everyone concerned.
June 26, 2024
I enjoyed this story greatly, although I did have my doubts to start. It picked up the pace and things started happening quickly. I didn’t anticipate the twist with the murderer being the person it was. Totally unexpected in that regard but it does fit.
January 5, 2026
DNF! Couldn't make it pass the farmhouse scene.
June 30, 2020
Thank you, Wendy. I’m so glad you recommended this book (and author). I was enthralled from the very beginning. Maggie Craig fleshed out Robert Catto from the first pages. I felt like he could walk out of the pages of the book. I was intrigued by the hints about his past, but not enough to read ahead and spoil the unfolding of his story (which I can’t help doing if I’m teased too much by authors with no subtlety). I wanted to savor it.
The authenticity of the dialogue and the rich historical background was a good reason to read this book in addition to the well written plot.
I loved the narrator, but I felt he was a little too gruff to convey the finer feelings of Robert towards Christian.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
The authenticity of the dialogue and the rich historical background was a good reason to read this book in addition to the well written plot.
I loved the narrator, but I felt he was a little too gruff to convey the finer feelings of Robert towards Christian.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
November 20, 2013
I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads.
I enjoyed reading this book. I think the author is very talented to be able to paint such a brilliant picture of a time in history she has never seen, so you feel can really imagine what it would of been like. I don't always enjoy historical fiction as sometimes I find them too heavy on the history, but in this book the balance was just perfect for me, with some history, but also a great storyline to keep me reading. As I neared the end of the book the story became more and more gripping that I just had to keep reading to see what happened.
I enjoyed reading this book. I think the author is very talented to be able to paint such a brilliant picture of a time in history she has never seen, so you feel can really imagine what it would of been like. I don't always enjoy historical fiction as sometimes I find them too heavy on the history, but in this book the balance was just perfect for me, with some history, but also a great storyline to keep me reading. As I neared the end of the book the story became more and more gripping that I just had to keep reading to see what happened.
September 13, 2015
***RECEIVED FROM GOODREADS GIVEAWAY***
As a lover of Scottish historical fiction, I was excited to receive a copy of this book yet wondered whether it could hold its own against the Diana gabaldon novels. I wasn't disappointed. It's got a plot that includes a bit for everyone, political intrigue leading up to the '45 rising, murder mystery, fine ladies and proper behaviour and romance. A strapping and decent hero, Robert Catto who faces off against a modern and likeable heroine, sparks flying as they try to dislike each other. I can't wait for the next one!
As a lover of Scottish historical fiction, I was excited to receive a copy of this book yet wondered whether it could hold its own against the Diana gabaldon novels. I wasn't disappointed. It's got a plot that includes a bit for everyone, political intrigue leading up to the '45 rising, murder mystery, fine ladies and proper behaviour and romance. A strapping and decent hero, Robert Catto who faces off against a modern and likeable heroine, sparks flying as they try to dislike each other. I can't wait for the next one!
February 11, 2014
The author did a terrific job of making you feel like you were right there with the characters - not only could you see it all in your mind but you could feel it all as well. The storyline was intriguing - kept me wanting to read on to see how it would all play out in the end.
October 16, 2016
It is a well-written, nicely researched historical novel, with a nice cover, that is not particularly spectacular but is enticing enough. Romance novels are not my kind of a thing, but there was a lot of different things included in the story that kept me reading.
November 28, 2013
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.
A nice history mystery with a bit of romance too. Very enjoyable.
A nice history mystery with a bit of romance too. Very enjoyable.
January 15, 2014
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
January 15, 2014
The cover looks like familiar to me. I've seen this from the cover of "Easy" by Tammara Webber. :)
This book "Gathering Storm" is totally awesome. I love it.
This book "Gathering Storm" is totally awesome. I love it.
April 2, 2014
Review by: Anita
Link to Review: http://www.romantichistoricalreviews....
Link to Review: http://www.romantichistoricalreviews....
February 7, 2017
Mystery and politics as well as romance what more could you want in a good tale. It is a beautifully written historical and romanticstory with a touch of mystery and adventure.
April 9, 2017
Been in a massive maaaassive trading slump! Whilst in Edinburgh I picked up this very fitting novel - what could be more perfect? Romance and Scottish history and I absolutely loved it!!!!!
(Any outlander fan would love this book) and I can't wait for the next one!!!
(Any outlander fan would love this book) and I can't wait for the next one!!!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews