The Stones of Ailsa Craig

by David S. Florig, Tara Peterson (Foreword)

Confucius once said, "Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves." Confucius was wrong. A widower at just fifty years old, one lost, lonely, and increasingly obsessed man seemingly finds salvation in the ancient Scottish sport of curling, until it unexpectedly takes him down a much different and darker path. A path through present-day Belfast, Maine; 1880s Scotland; and to the remote, volcanic island of Ailsa Craig, home to the finest curling stone granite in the world and former home to tens of thousands of marauding brown rats. A path that was revealed to him after seeing a single, 130-year-old black-and-white photograph of the beautiful Darcie Ross from Glasgow. What else could he do but embrace what surely must be his calling after seeing that picture and finally learning the truth?

he Stones of Ailsa Craig is a work of historical fiction, toggling between present-day Belfast, Maine and 1880s Scotland, and is rich with detail about the Maine mid-coast, Scotland, and the sport of curling, which was born in Scotland. It is a deep look into one man's loss, loneliness, obsession, and vengeance. The Stones of Ailsa Craig should appeal to not only curlers, but to fans of historical fiction and mystery.

Advance Praise for The Stones of Ailsa Craig : “One of the book’s master strokes is its lyrical language and unsparing vision, making a reader feel they are part of the story. The prose is sharp and evocative, as it delves into human nature and explores the darkest corners of the human psyche. The tension and suspense are palpable, creating an atmosphere that is both disquieting and addictive. The Stones of Ailsa Craig is a crowning achievement. It showcases Florig’s immense talent and versatility as an author and deserves a place on the shelves of every fan of historical fiction.” - The Feathered Quill . “I enjoyed every moment of my time with The Stones of Ailsa Craig . While the first half of the book plays out like an engaging historical fiction drama . . it turns into a crime mystery thriller that grabs you and refuses to let go until the end. Highly recommended. 5 Stars.” - Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews . “ The Stones of Ailsa Craig is a great read! Rich in history and the spirit of curling, it is a fascinating look at loss, loneliness, and obsession, as well as a heartfelt tribute to The Roarin' Game. It is very fitting for the sport we love.” - Eve Muirhead, 2022 Olympic Curling Gold Medalist. “A wonderful tribute to the history and spirit of curling, as well as a dark look into one man's growing obsession with vengeance and justice, The Stones of Ailsa Craig brims with Florig's obvious love for Maine, storytelling, and The Roarin' Game.” - Nina Roth, 2-Time United States Olympic Curling Team Member (2018, 2022) . "An absolute page-turner! This novel seamlessly weaves together the world of curling and a thrilling murder story. The character is richly drawn, making it easy to get lost in his world. A must-read for fans of both sports and suspense!" - Jamie Sinclair, Three-Time National Champion

Genres: Fiction, Scotland, Historical Fiction

296 pages, Paperback

Published August 9, 2023

About the author

David S. Florig is a member of the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance, as well as a member and past-president of the Pine Tree Curling Club in Portland, Maine. The Stones of Ailsa Craig is his debut novel and is an homage to Belfast, Maine; the glorious Maine coast; and the ancient Scottish sport of curling.

David grew up in South Jersey before retiring to Maine. Adopted by Charles and Marjorie Florig, he has seen a single picture of his birth mother. Subconsciously, that picture may have inspired this story.

For years, David practiced law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Following his legal career, he was the Executive Director of two nonprofits - Court Appointed Special Advocates of Burlington County (New Jersey) and the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children. WePAC recruited and trained volunteers to open shuttered elementary school libraries in Philadelphia, and for his work on behalf of Philadelphia's children, he was honored as one of the inaugural GameChangers by KYW1060 Newsradio in celebration of Black History Month.

He lives in Maine with his wife of thirty-five years, Nancy, and their ill-mannered rescue dog, Molly Malone.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read

This story combined three important topics for me - curling (a true passion), Maine (the second best place I’ve lived), and Scotland (the best place I’ve lived and where I was introduced to the awesome sport of curling). Mr Florig’s writing style creates a compelling story. Didn’t expect a certain turn of events so it also keeps one guessing. The sheer amount of research conducted to weave throughout this book is impressive and I recommend you take time to read the appendix at the end.

[Sherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading for an Author talk at our library. The author has certainly researched and assembled an incredible amount of information about Maine and curling. His attempt at braiding it together the fictional death of a wife, the murders of two young women in 1889 and the present by two men crazed in the first by rejection and in the second grief, loss and ill conceived vengeance is less than successful. Yes I learned a number of facts about Maine, the history of curling, the island of Ailsa Craig and the importance of its two special forms of microgranite used to create curling stones, but those facts were strung together as if from an encyclopedia. The fictional story the author created was implausible and its madness treated as a good thing. I feel cheated.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great. I’d definitely recommend it. The curling and lighthouse information was very interesting to read and learn about.

Now the story itself was good, and I don’t want to give spoilers, but it took a turn!

The author seemed to convey the banality of everyday life after loss and grief, but there was excitement and intrigue thrown in, too. I also liked the adventure when the main character traveled, but won’t say anymore about that.

We read this for our library’s book club, but it would be a good one to curl up with on vacation, too!

[Nancy Chambers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I understood the protagonist loneliness and grief by losing his wife Molly, since my husband was recently murdered. In fact that part of the book was well written. He decided to search Molly’s genealogy to keep her memory alive and got interested in Curling for something to do Then he met Skye Brodie at a Curling Meet and she had a genealogy of her family which she shared with him. He then learned that her relative had killed his wife’s relative. The protagonist used his anger to assuage his loss by killing Skye Brodie because her great great grandfather had murdered Molly’s great great aunt 130 years before. He was just as guilty as Cuddy Urquhart was many years ago except Cuddy’s was a crime of passion and the protagonist’ was a planned murder of an innocent woman who had nothing to do with her relative’s crime other than she was related to him. That part of the book lost me. I would have enjoyed the info on Curling more if it wasn’t for that. 3 stars because I can’t support a book that condones murder.

[Literary Titan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Stones of Ailsa Craig, author David S. Florig masterfully spins a tale that transcends time, bridging a remote Scottish island's mystery from the turn of the century with the story of a newly widowed man in modern-day Maine. The protagonist, grappling with profound grief after losing his wife to cancer, embarks on a journey to discover a new purpose in life. His path uncovers unexpected connections between two women separated by over a hundred years and a surprising link to the ancient sport of curling.

Florig's storytelling is as intricate and engaging as the sport of curling itself. He deftly combines historical fiction and mystery, intertwining rich historical details about the origins and nature of curling. Though an unlikely backdrop, the details are so vividly rendered that they complement the broader themes of love, loss, retribution, and healing that underpin the novel.

The narrative offers an exquisite balance of suspense and light-hearted amusement, allowing for a full-bodied reading experience that entertains and enlightens. It will enable readers to traverse different eras, offering a lens through which to view human themes that remain relevant across time and context.

The Stones of Ailsa Craig is a novel tailored for mature readers who appreciate layered storytelling and lush, intricate prose. It's an intriguing feast for enthusiasts of well-researched historical fiction and an enticing lure for those curious about the heritage of curling. Both unexpected and captivating, this novel promises a reading experience that is as unique and multifaceted as the game it explores. The book is a testament to Florig's skill in weaving a dynamic story that resonates with emotion and authenticity, offering a fresh perspective on historical connections and the timeless journey of self-discovery.

[Susanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is actually a very engaging book about the sport of curling (popular still in Scotland and Canada) which would have been a perfectly fine piece of non-fiction writing, but this first-time author chose to muck it up by tacking on a very odd attempt at fiction here and there between the informative chapters. (The fiction: imagining that a recently widowed man would choose to KILL a woman he had met and liked, simply because an ancestor of hers had done harm to an ancestor of his. I didn't buy that for a minute.) A good editor would have pointed out this flaw and coaxed the author to take a different approach.

This appears to be a self-published work. It's actually a nice production job, with a handsome cover; hope he'll try again with an editor at his elbow.

[Kyle Buntin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Stones of Ailsa Craig is a richly atmospheric and gripping novel that blends historical fiction, mystery, and the haunting pull of obsession. Moving seamlessly between Maine and 19th-century Scotland, David S. Florig brings the world of curling vividly to life while exploring grief, loneliness, and the dangerous allure of vengeance. The prose is evocative, the sense of place striking, and the suspense builds with quiet intensity. Thoughtful, immersive, and unexpectedly dark, this is a compelling read for fans of history, mystery, and deeply human stories.

[Kartika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read. Informative. Very matter-of-fact. There’s some repetition throughout that maybe could have been edited out. There is a twist I did not anticipate.