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The Cromarty Library Circle
Not yet published
Expected 26 Feb 26From the bestselling author of The Bookseller of Inverness comes the unforgettable story of a Scottish town on the cusp of change and the group of townspeople whose lives will be irrevocably altered over the course of one tumultuous year.
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Cromarty, The Black Isle, 1831.
As seagulls shriek and rise on the coastal winds, a circulating library in the bustling port town of Cromarty is meeting for the first time.
Ostensibly united by a love of books, the demands of social convention have brought together a disparate group of people. Charlotte Mackenzie, the remote and fragile wife of the local laird, seeks an escape from a loveless marriage; her best friend, Rachel Mackay, a former governess who is ardently in love with her own older husband, the town's minister; the young schoolmaster, John Learmonth, newly arrived from Edinburgh with secrets in tow; and the gentle bank clerk, Ludovic Cameron who dreams of a new life across the ocean, far from his erstwhile schoolmate, the malevolent Farquhar Hossack. When the laird befriends a wounded officer, a chain of events is set into motion that threatens to upset the delicate equilibrium of the community.
Against the backdrop of mass emigrations, an encroaching cholera epidemic, political unrest and the campaign to abolish chattel slavery in the British Caribbean, the people of Cromarty must negotiate their new world and each other, flitting in and out of each other's lives through one extraordinary year.
The Cromarty Library Circle is a richly woven and immersive portrait of connected lives, changing fortunes and the often-unseen forces that shape our destinies.
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Praise for Shona MacLean
'MacLean can make any period sing with life' Antonia Hodgson
'An excellent work of historical fiction' Literary Review
'A wonderful storyteller' The Times
'Well-researched and fascinating' Guardian
----------------------------------------------------------
Cromarty, The Black Isle, 1831.
As seagulls shriek and rise on the coastal winds, a circulating library in the bustling port town of Cromarty is meeting for the first time.
Ostensibly united by a love of books, the demands of social convention have brought together a disparate group of people. Charlotte Mackenzie, the remote and fragile wife of the local laird, seeks an escape from a loveless marriage; her best friend, Rachel Mackay, a former governess who is ardently in love with her own older husband, the town's minister; the young schoolmaster, John Learmonth, newly arrived from Edinburgh with secrets in tow; and the gentle bank clerk, Ludovic Cameron who dreams of a new life across the ocean, far from his erstwhile schoolmate, the malevolent Farquhar Hossack. When the laird befriends a wounded officer, a chain of events is set into motion that threatens to upset the delicate equilibrium of the community.
Against the backdrop of mass emigrations, an encroaching cholera epidemic, political unrest and the campaign to abolish chattel slavery in the British Caribbean, the people of Cromarty must negotiate their new world and each other, flitting in and out of each other's lives through one extraordinary year.
The Cromarty Library Circle is a richly woven and immersive portrait of connected lives, changing fortunes and the often-unseen forces that shape our destinies.
----------------------------------------------------------
Praise for Shona MacLean
'MacLean can make any period sing with life' Antonia Hodgson
'An excellent work of historical fiction' Literary Review
'A wonderful storyteller' The Times
'Well-researched and fascinating' Guardian
- GenresHistorical Fiction
532 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 26, 2026
3 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Shona MacLean
4 books127 followersAka: S.G.MacLean
Biography:
I was born in Inverness and brought up in the Highlands where my parents were hoteliers. I went to school in Dingwall. I have an M.A. and Ph. D in History from the University of Aberdeen. I am maried with four children and currently living in Banff on the Moray coast.
About writer's work:
I write historical crime fiction, and am currently working on my third book featuring my fictional seventeenth-century academic, Alexander Seaton. The first book in the series, The Redemption of Alexander Seaton, was shortlisted for both the Saltire First Book of the Year Award (2008) and the Ellis Peters Award 2009).
Biography:
I was born in Inverness and brought up in the Highlands where my parents were hoteliers. I went to school in Dingwall. I have an M.A. and Ph. D in History from the University of Aberdeen. I am maried with four children and currently living in Banff on the Moray coast.
About writer's work:
I write historical crime fiction, and am currently working on my third book featuring my fictional seventeenth-century academic, Alexander Seaton. The first book in the series, The Redemption of Alexander Seaton, was shortlisted for both the Saltire First Book of the Year Award (2008) and the Ellis Peters Award 2009).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 17, 2025
This is Scottish historical fiction at its finest! Each page is so richly steeped in history, transporting you back to that time. I loved the references to places I've been and lived, being able to visualise it all through the characters eyes.
And the characters were wonderful! I could have read a thousand more pages by their side, hopefully as part of the library circle. The writing fully absorbed all my thoughts, as I immersed myself in their lives through the words.
Also a very special nod to the mention of particular 'Bookseller of Inverness' which made me smile to see.
Now 'The Cromarty Library Circle' must do its rounds through our little bookselling circle because I am desperate to talk about it to everyone!
And the characters were wonderful! I could have read a thousand more pages by their side, hopefully as part of the library circle. The writing fully absorbed all my thoughts, as I immersed myself in their lives through the words.
Also a very special nod to the mention of particular 'Bookseller of Inverness' which made me smile to see.
Now 'The Cromarty Library Circle' must do its rounds through our little bookselling circle because I am desperate to talk about it to everyone!
November 19, 2025
A wonderful story of people and places in a time of turmoil.
"The Cromarty Library Circle" opens on The Black Isle in Autumn of 1831. We are immediately introduced to a large number of characters, from a maid to a teacher, to members of the landed gentry. And to the wild, windy and magnificent place that is Cromarty.
We soon learn that the inaugural meeting of the Cromarty Library Circle is about to take place. The Good and the Great have come together to choose which books to include in the library, each picking a favourite. Among them, Charlotte, wife of the local laird, her friend, Rachel, a former governess now deeply in love with her husband the town's minister. John Learmonth, the young schoolmaster, newly arrived from Edinburgh and bank clerk, Ludovic who dreams of a new life across the ocean. Oh, and Miss Juniper, governess, with a murky background, and completely my favourite character in the book.
The meeting is a delight to witness, as each member promotes their choice, while clearly displaying their superior knowledge and wisdom where enlightened reading is concerned. Books were expensive, procuring them was expensive, and so the choices were accompanied by profound arguments.
But soon events take place that threaten to throw the wider community into turmoil, and it's the interplay between characters that make this book so entertaining. Set against the backdrop of political unrest and societal change, (the Great Reform Bill was about to be debated), mass emigrations, a cholera epidemic sweeping across Europe, and a campaign to abolish slavery in the British Caribbean, the story reflects fears and beliefs of a society in microcosm, in just a single year.
Fans of Shona MacLean's previous books, the Seaton series and the Seeker series, will find something totally new in this book. The beautifully described background of Cromarty with its windswept and wild scenery, and the fully-realised characters all come together to form a technicolour display of life in the early nineteenth century.
Heartily recommended.
"The Cromarty Library Circle" opens on The Black Isle in Autumn of 1831. We are immediately introduced to a large number of characters, from a maid to a teacher, to members of the landed gentry. And to the wild, windy and magnificent place that is Cromarty.
We soon learn that the inaugural meeting of the Cromarty Library Circle is about to take place. The Good and the Great have come together to choose which books to include in the library, each picking a favourite. Among them, Charlotte, wife of the local laird, her friend, Rachel, a former governess now deeply in love with her husband the town's minister. John Learmonth, the young schoolmaster, newly arrived from Edinburgh and bank clerk, Ludovic who dreams of a new life across the ocean. Oh, and Miss Juniper, governess, with a murky background, and completely my favourite character in the book.
The meeting is a delight to witness, as each member promotes their choice, while clearly displaying their superior knowledge and wisdom where enlightened reading is concerned. Books were expensive, procuring them was expensive, and so the choices were accompanied by profound arguments.
But soon events take place that threaten to throw the wider community into turmoil, and it's the interplay between characters that make this book so entertaining. Set against the backdrop of political unrest and societal change, (the Great Reform Bill was about to be debated), mass emigrations, a cholera epidemic sweeping across Europe, and a campaign to abolish slavery in the British Caribbean, the story reflects fears and beliefs of a society in microcosm, in just a single year.
Fans of Shona MacLean's previous books, the Seaton series and the Seeker series, will find something totally new in this book. The beautifully described background of Cromarty with its windswept and wild scenery, and the fully-realised characters all come together to form a technicolour display of life in the early nineteenth century.
Heartily recommended.
December 5, 2025
This is historical fiction at its best. Set in Cromarty in the Highlands of Scotland on the tip of The Black Isle; the harbour and town nestle in a background of mountainous hills: sounds of gulls cries and winds in squally weather. Shona Maclean’s descriptive narrative is beautifully atmospheric and brings the story to life.
It opens with the carefully chosen members of the library circle meeting to share and debate their individual choices of books; they are expensive to buy and need the approval of everyone as each member gets to read them in turn. Through this meeting we are introduced not only to the club members but also begin to make the acquaintance of the many other residents of the town.
The intertwined stories of everyday lives of the folk who live in and around the town play out with the ever-looming threat of cholera slowly creeping up from Europe through England, political unrest, the campaign to abolish slavery and mass emigration. More than one person is hiding a secret and there is a build up of tensions as revelations lead to dramatic endings which make for a gripping read. I enjoyed it enormously.
Thank you so much to Shona Maclean, Quercus and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.
It opens with the carefully chosen members of the library circle meeting to share and debate their individual choices of books; they are expensive to buy and need the approval of everyone as each member gets to read them in turn. Through this meeting we are introduced not only to the club members but also begin to make the acquaintance of the many other residents of the town.
The intertwined stories of everyday lives of the folk who live in and around the town play out with the ever-looming threat of cholera slowly creeping up from Europe through England, political unrest, the campaign to abolish slavery and mass emigration. More than one person is hiding a secret and there is a build up of tensions as revelations lead to dramatic endings which make for a gripping read. I enjoyed it enormously.
Thank you so much to Shona Maclean, Quercus and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Cromarty Library Circle is an atmospheric and engaging historical mystery that blends community drama, literary charm, and a touch of darkness in a wonderfully satisfying way. The setting is beautifully drawn—MacLean brings Cromarty to life with vivid detail, giving the town and its people real personality.
I especially enjoyed how the library functions as the story’s heart, pulling together a cast of complex characters whose relationships, secrets, and loyalties gradually unfold. The pacing is steady, with just enough mystery and intrigue to keep the pages turning without feeling rushed.
While a few sections moved more slowly than others, overall I found this to be a rich and rewarding read. Memorable characters, a strong sense of place, and layered storytelling make this a standout historical novel.
A lovely choice for readers who enjoy thoughtful mysteries, literary settings, and immersive historical detail. I’m glad I read it!
I especially enjoyed how the library functions as the story’s heart, pulling together a cast of complex characters whose relationships, secrets, and loyalties gradually unfold. The pacing is steady, with just enough mystery and intrigue to keep the pages turning without feeling rushed.
While a few sections moved more slowly than others, overall I found this to be a rich and rewarding read. Memorable characters, a strong sense of place, and layered storytelling make this a standout historical novel.
A lovely choice for readers who enjoy thoughtful mysteries, literary settings, and immersive historical detail. I’m glad I read it!
November 28, 2025
This is a lovely read, with well written characters that you feel you know by the end of the novel. The highlands of Scotland take a starring role too, with vivid descriptions of gull-squawking coasts, local mansions, shipping traffic and the tight-knit social rhythms of a small town. The variety of characters, with different backgrounds and secrets, means you need to pay attention to detail to appreciate how their paths converge, which sometimes requires a degree of patience and memory. With migration, disease, the legacy of slavery and social reform addressed during the story, this book reflects life in 19th century Scotland beautifully.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Richly absorbing historical fiction set in the Scottish Highlands in the early 19th Century. The members of a new library circle in Cromarty go about their daily lives, challenges, and joys, with the characters feeling real and authentic. Meanwhile real world events, from the cholera epidemic to debates on the abolition of slavery and the Highland clearances weave in and out of the story. A lovely read.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Loved this - full of pin-sharp details of people, place and time. I love SG Maclean's crime novels for her characterisation, and the cast, though very different people, are just as finely drawn here. The story blooms slowly and the tension crept up on me as I became more invested in the characters, leading to some moments of real alarm and heartfelt joy and sadness. The sense of place and time - the northern Scottish coast in 1831-2 - was superb. A true 'window into the past' book.
Big thanks to Quercus and Shona Maclean for the advanced review copy.
Big thanks to Quercus and Shona Maclean for the advanced review copy.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews