This Emerald Veil

Mysterious Scotland #6

by Tormod Cockburn

Gill McArdle is on the island of Iona searching for the burial places of kings. What begins as an archaeological survey risks descending into a treasure hunt and Gill suspects subterfuge from new enemies as well as old. And when a find on Iona sheds a little light on the nature of ‘The Torn Isle’, Gill doesn’t like what he sees.

Cassy Tullen meanwhile has gone home to lick her wounds. But before long, her indomitable spirit is rising to challenge the dark forces in her life and take back what is rightfully hers. She’s all alone, with the odds stacked against her. That’s until the day she meets a fierce, freckle-faced girl on the bus from Harris. If these two powerful women can comprehend each other, Cassy might just have evened the odds. When finally, she’s pushed into a corner, Cassy still values decency. But she’s done running. This time she’s coming out fighting.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Scotland, Fantasy

380 pages, Paperback

Published December 18, 2023

Reviews

[John Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

I'm not quite sure how to rate this particular instalment of the quirky Mysterious Scotland series. Overall, I enjoyed the story but it lacked the impetus of earlier books in the series. The story appeared to be going off at a tangent with a number of (apparently) unrelated sub plots but, they did all come together in the end. We had drug dealing gangsters branching out into the forged gold market, a mother searching for her abducted son and human trafficking plus, a bit of low level weirdness. It was an enjoyable tale but without the supernatural fireworks of the earlier instalments.

[Darylann Ogden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all of Tormod's books in rapid succession. But This Emerald Veil is by far my most favorite. He just keeps getting better and better. If you want to stay up all night reading, I highly recommend Tormod's Mysterious Scotland series. I guarantee you will be pleasantly rewarded. I'm anxiously waiting for his next book release, Dark Sayings. Aloha from the Big Island.

[Claire-Louise Armstrong-Brealey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the cryptozoological stuff and revisiting places in Scotland.

Unfortunately, it appears the author has slipped into using ass instead of arse. No one I know in Scotland would use ass! It is a shame as it takes away the authenticity from the characters voices.

[S bOWKER · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read but not as good as previous books

Although I am enjoying the series, I didn't get as much reading pleasure from this one. Even after reading all the previous novels I found The Emerald Isle somewhat confusing and the plot weak. However I will read the next in the series .

[Patricia Moynihan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

As usual an interesting and captivating read.
Not quite as otherworldly as the previous books but as entertaining. I'm looking forward to the release of Dark Sayings in May.

[Jan Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

Definitely worth reading this series and in order. Scottish myths and legends with a twist. Looking forward to the next one already.😁

[Sarah B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not Mysterious at All - very slow moving

I cannot believe back in late 2023 I was all excited about this book being released as the previous one had been so exciting! But this...this was just awful. As I started to read this I was waiting for the story to start, the excitement, the weird stuff. Because to me that is what this series is about. You know, real unicorns and exploring the legend about Nessie and there is that great battle going on between Good and Evil. That demon... So I was waiting for the new Whatever to be introduced into the story... Because the cover gives no clue.

And I was waiting... And waiting.... And waiting...

Only to be reading a bunch of chitchat between characters. And the pages were really flying by. I was 100 pages in and still all chitchat. I was getting worried. And annoyed. Where was the weird stuff??! Where was a creature? Or even a murder? There was none of that stuff at all. Not even a decent mystery in here. The plot was incredibly boring! There was talk the magazine was in trouble again. And there was some stuff about Casey visiting an island and looking for her lost son. There was stuff about this gold being found... But none of this was interesting in the slightest way. It was like watching grass grow.

A murder finally happens at the 72% mark.

But there is none of the excitement from the previous book in here at all (except way at the 80% mark). But who wants to read all of those boring pages to finally get a little bit of thrills? Then it doesn't even last very long at all. Uggh...

There are other weird things mentioned in this book too. Like Casey carrying a fish in a bag of water and taking it into some restaurant and then asking if she can have a glass of water for the fish. But then the fish seems to be forgotten? Umm...why would you take a fish in a bag into a restaurant? Why even mention this? So bizarre. What is the point? This only left me very confused... Was that fish alive or dead? As the same place sold fish fillets. No idea.

I think the author got way off track with this one. Unfortunately.

It was a struggle to get through this and the only saving grace was because it has so much dialogue it can be read fast. But it is extremely boring beyond belief. Or to me it is anyway. There was absolutely no suspense or anything tantalizing to get you to turn the pages. Just lots of dull chitchat bet various characters.

Very lousy book...

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading this series since the first book came out and it continues to amaze me. More Scottish history wrapped up with a mystery.
Cassie has gone off to decompress with her parents from her near death experience in the previous book. Gill is asked to help out on Iona where some Pictish artifacts have apparently been found.
This book is every bit as excellent as its predecessors.

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my last dip into this excellent series until the new one is out in a few months' time. Cassy has left the office on extended leave for personal reasons, and Gill is chasing up what look like some dodgy 'Pictish' gold finds on Iona. Their 'Armour Group' is growing and Gill finds out something in his family history that he's less than happy about. I love this series because it's so different from my usual crime reads. There are gangs, murder, crime in abundance but we come at it from a very different viewpoint. It's exciting and refreshing.

[Lisa Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sir Cockburn SCORES A HIT!!!

I am not a writer folks I want so much to do this author and these
Books justice. But I am afraid I would just make a true mess of the tales. Gil and the group, his beloved Scotland, its mysteries, its history, his thoughts on faith our future..and since as I said no writer..I TELL YOU ALL TO TAKE A WHIRL you will not be disappointed I know I am already rereading in order for me to catch what I missed and make it til next adventure hits the shelf in May..thank you Tormod...

[Linda Clemons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book!

This Emerald Veil is book #6. I’ve read them all and thoroughly enjoyed every one! Now I’m anxiously awaiting book #7! These stories are well written and they make you think. Many or most of the locations are actual places in Scotland. When I came across a word or name I couldn’t pronounce Google was a great help, for instance, craic pronounced krak means an enjoyable get together or a great conversation. Read these books and immerse yourselves in Scottish lore. You won’t be sorry.

[Lynda Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 6 in the Mysterious Scotland Series! WoW! I love, love, love these books. This one wasn't quite as fast paced as the previous ones but was still an excellent read. The fact they are all based in Scotland I can visualise so many of the places mentioned/visited which makes reading so much more vivid!
As the series progresses you really get to know the characters and 'watch' them grow.
Have just pre-ordered Book 7,, roll on the end of May!
Thank you Tormod for another amazing read

[Susan Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Mysterious Scotland novel

Latele it seems most everything I read and like takes place in Scotland, a place I supposedly had ancestors and a place i've always yearned to go, if not to live, at least to visit. I love these novels by Tormod Cockburn. Some police procedural, some fantasy, great characters, and stuff to make you think. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[Patricia Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one makes me think: would I step up? What do I consider the “right” side? How would I react if given a gift that would move me beyond my limited experiences? Is paranormal just science we haven’t figured out yet? What is supernatural? Just so many questions. Fantastic world continues to grow and expand with exceptional characters. My favorite book of the series.

[Erica Wildwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still rolling my eyes at all the stuff about angels, demons, the creator etc but this one is set on Iona, which I've visited, and I'm now so invested in the characters, and the 'whodunnit' element is so good, that I'll probably read all nine in the series. I've read every one in one sitting so far and I'm still hooked.

[Laura Poppenwimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting series, part adventure and part paranormal. The stories are well crafted and the characters well developed and add to the storyline. Easy to follow and the endings are most unexpected. This is a series that should be read in order as each book builds on information in previous books.

[Yvonne Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great page turner

Everytime I pick up a book from this author I am riveted by the story and characters. It feels real if that makes sense. I couldn't put it down and read cover to cover on a gloriously sunny Saturday.

[Geraldine Horgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Tormod delivers, Not only are these stories exciting and unpredictable but i always read them with a google ap close by. I check out all the Scottish vernacular and am enjoying expanded knowledge

[Sian Hyland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m loving this series. It’s been easy to get engrossed in the characters and the story lines are strong. We lived in Aberdeenshire for five years and it’s been lovely going through a map as I’m reading and realising we’ve been in locations in the books, Scotland’s such a beautiful country

[acorn spirit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed

Being the 6th book in series I was disappointed in this one. I think it lacked the expanse and breath of the previous 5 books as far as historical background and pull pulling that information into the present action.

[R Grisham-Whitehouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

a little convoluted

I like the characters the author has drawn together, but this novel is a little difficult to follow in places. Also it is a bit melodramatic again.

[Faith Salvas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

I absolutely love the mystery and the fact that the story line makes you think. I cannot wait to read the next book.