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Echoes on a Fractal Line: A Dual-Timeline Scottish Historical Mystery of Secrets, Survival and a Jacobite Uprising
What does it take to preserve the past? What will it cost to protect the future? Follow the echoes through time and find out…
‘This book is a love letter to strong women and to Scotland’
'These characters have stayed with me long after closing the book'
‘History doesn’t always stay in the past tense...’
The heartbreaking historical mystery debut from Lee-Anne McAulay.
Moving between the present and 1715 the stories of four women are woven together by circumstance. Set in the sweeping landscape of central Scotland against the backdrop of the ‘15 Jacobite uprising. Jeannie Kellie and Mairead Erskine are caught in a desperate battle to survive.
In the present Hazel Rankin and Dr Lauren McDonald begin a project at Alloa Tower connecting people to the lives of those in the past. When a body is discovered, the women soon discover that shadows from their own pasts have resurfaced with it.
United by a desire to save historic sites from mothballs or developers Hazel and Lauren search for the stories of ordinary people in extraordinary times. It soon becomes clear that not everybody wants them to succeed. The discovery of the body brings the project to a standstill and their funding is threatened. Determined to make their project a success they follow the threads of the mystery and what they discover holds deep echoes of their own lives.
In 1715 Mairead Erskine arrives at the tower as her husband is given command of the Erskine family seat of power. Feeling the pressure to prove her worth Mairead clashes with healer and midwife Jeannie Kellie. When their Laird turns his coat and leads an uprising to overthrow King George the women find themselves in path of the coming war. Thrown together they work to keep the inhabitants of the tower safe and well, risking everything for those in their care. When the tower falls they soon realise that neither a family name nor skill as a healer will keep them safe from the redcoat soldiers.
‘This book is a love letter to strong women and to Scotland’
'These characters have stayed with me long after closing the book'
‘History doesn’t always stay in the past tense...’
The heartbreaking historical mystery debut from Lee-Anne McAulay.
Moving between the present and 1715 the stories of four women are woven together by circumstance. Set in the sweeping landscape of central Scotland against the backdrop of the ‘15 Jacobite uprising. Jeannie Kellie and Mairead Erskine are caught in a desperate battle to survive.
In the present Hazel Rankin and Dr Lauren McDonald begin a project at Alloa Tower connecting people to the lives of those in the past. When a body is discovered, the women soon discover that shadows from their own pasts have resurfaced with it.
United by a desire to save historic sites from mothballs or developers Hazel and Lauren search for the stories of ordinary people in extraordinary times. It soon becomes clear that not everybody wants them to succeed. The discovery of the body brings the project to a standstill and their funding is threatened. Determined to make their project a success they follow the threads of the mystery and what they discover holds deep echoes of their own lives.
In 1715 Mairead Erskine arrives at the tower as her husband is given command of the Erskine family seat of power. Feeling the pressure to prove her worth Mairead clashes with healer and midwife Jeannie Kellie. When their Laird turns his coat and leads an uprising to overthrow King George the women find themselves in path of the coming war. Thrown together they work to keep the inhabitants of the tower safe and well, risking everything for those in their care. When the tower falls they soon realise that neither a family name nor skill as a healer will keep them safe from the redcoat soldiers.
429 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2025
30 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Lee-Anne McAulay
1 book6 followersAbout Lee-Anne…
Lee-Anne lives, works and writes in Central Scotland where she shares her home with 3 cats, 2 teenagers and 1 husband. Her life long love of stories led her to take an English Degree and, from there, to an 18 year (and counting!) career as a teacher.
When not writing at her vintage bureau Lee-Anne loves reading (preferably with tea and cake) and exploring the beautiful Scottish landscapes she finds so inspiring.
Lee-Anne lives, works and writes in Central Scotland where she shares her home with 3 cats, 2 teenagers and 1 husband. Her life long love of stories led her to take an English Degree and, from there, to an 18 year (and counting!) career as a teacher.
When not writing at her vintage bureau Lee-Anne loves reading (preferably with tea and cake) and exploring the beautiful Scottish landscapes she finds so inspiring.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 7, 2025
What an invigorating well researched novel. For a debut novel, this is brilliantly and thoughtfully done!
My first note is that it is clear how carefully researched this novel is! Based on the history of Alloa castle in Scotland 1700s we get a deep dive into the history and atmosphere at a time when the clansmen attempted to put the Stuart King on the throne. I have not researched much Scottish history beforehand but I find myself wanting to go away and research some more. The characters set in this time were potentially real characters in the tower!
I adored Jeannie and Mairead’s perspectives in the novel of their ever escalating life at Alloa castle. The characters were well developed and it proved to be an emotional read. I suspected something may happen to Jeannie as this was also a period of accusing healer women of witchcraft.
The current perspectives of Hazel and Lauren in their attempts to gain the public’s interest in Scottish history was interesting. Both characters despite not a huge amount of time in the novel, were well layered and brought to life. I could easily imagine Lauren as the bumbling but brilliant historian. Similar to Hazel with her striking intelligence and insecurities over her own abilities. They both pose strong female characters in their own rights.
Admittedly, the swaps between the present and the past was slightly confusing at times- especially with the narratives swapping from each lady. Otherwise the plot flowed well and it was well written.
It is easily one of my favourite historical fiction reads and I shall be recommending it to any other historical readers!
My first note is that it is clear how carefully researched this novel is! Based on the history of Alloa castle in Scotland 1700s we get a deep dive into the history and atmosphere at a time when the clansmen attempted to put the Stuart King on the throne. I have not researched much Scottish history beforehand but I find myself wanting to go away and research some more. The characters set in this time were potentially real characters in the tower!
I adored Jeannie and Mairead’s perspectives in the novel of their ever escalating life at Alloa castle. The characters were well developed and it proved to be an emotional read. I suspected something may happen to Jeannie as this was also a period of accusing healer women of witchcraft.
The current perspectives of Hazel and Lauren in their attempts to gain the public’s interest in Scottish history was interesting. Both characters despite not a huge amount of time in the novel, were well layered and brought to life. I could easily imagine Lauren as the bumbling but brilliant historian. Similar to Hazel with her striking intelligence and insecurities over her own abilities. They both pose strong female characters in their own rights.
Admittedly, the swaps between the present and the past was slightly confusing at times- especially with the narratives swapping from each lady. Otherwise the plot flowed well and it was well written.
It is easily one of my favourite historical fiction reads and I shall be recommending it to any other historical readers!
October 6, 2025
3.5*
Dual timeline, 18thC/current day, set in Scotland, ticks a lot of boxes for me. I came across it on Kindle Unlimited, and I wasn't expecting a lot tbh, but it was really pretty good. There's a comparison to Outlander in the blurb, but it's nothing like Outlander - the comparison is wrong, really. There's no time travel, and it's not a gripping romance or anything like that.
It's just a dual timeline. A Tower near Stirling is picked for a History of Scotland trust exhibition type thing and you get POV and story of the University and Trust members in the current day (though not particularly in depth) and the story of The Tower through 2 women in the 1700s as they uncover more. It's not the best dual timeline out there, I would have like a bit more backstory current day, but it is worth a read!
Dual timeline, 18thC/current day, set in Scotland, ticks a lot of boxes for me. I came across it on Kindle Unlimited, and I wasn't expecting a lot tbh, but it was really pretty good. There's a comparison to Outlander in the blurb, but it's nothing like Outlander - the comparison is wrong, really. There's no time travel, and it's not a gripping romance or anything like that.
It's just a dual timeline. A Tower near Stirling is picked for a History of Scotland trust exhibition type thing and you get POV and story of the University and Trust members in the current day (though not particularly in depth) and the story of The Tower through 2 women in the 1700s as they uncover more. It's not the best dual timeline out there, I would have like a bit more backstory current day, but it is worth a read!
July 23, 2025
this was simply a divine book, kept me interested the whole way, totally caught up in the stories right to the last page
September 14, 2025
I've just finished Echoes on a fractal line. Loved it!! I really enjoyed reading the book. Excellent, believable characters both past and present. I think the 4 females are well chosen and strong 💪🏼they also compliment each other. Loved learning some of the story of the Erskines and this book is a super way to learn some history from the 1700s! My knowledge of history is minimal 😞.
The more I read, the more I wanted to keep going. Stayed awake until 3am last night to try to finish it!
The more I read, the more I wanted to keep going. Stayed awake until 3am last night to try to finish it!
September 25, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, reading it on holiday in less than 3 days. The attention to detail and telling of this story is so cleverly done, going back in time and then again to the current time telling the story. I was hooked very quickly and found it hard to put the book down. Also makes me want to go to Alloa tower which is on my doorstep! I look forward to Lee-Anne’s next book with anticipation.
July 19, 2025
This book is a great read, I was soon immersed in the lives of the characters, and even shed a tear at the end.
Being local to Alloa Tower, I enjoyed learning about it's history.
I highly recommend reading this book.
Being local to Alloa Tower, I enjoyed learning about it's history.
I highly recommend reading this book.
February 2, 2026
Great story, sloppy editing
I would have given this a 5 star rating except for the poor editing. Notably wrong spellings, omitted words, lack of punctuation, and partial sentences. Excellent story!
I would have given this a 5 star rating except for the poor editing. Notably wrong spellings, omitted words, lack of punctuation, and partial sentences. Excellent story!
July 22, 2025
Echoes on a Fractal Line by Lee-Anne McAulay is a beautifully written dual-timeline novel following four strong women—two in contemporary times and two in 1715. I was completely drawn in by the rich detail and historical accuracy; the past felt alive on the page. The characters are compelling and memorable, especially the way their stories subtly echo across time. I would have loved an historical note at the end, but I’m thrilled there’s a sequel on the way. A powerful and immersive read for fans of historical fiction!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews