On a Northern Shore

by Janis Mackay

This far north, they say the dead are with us… 

Hogmanay, the far north of Scotland. Alone on the shoreline, lobster fisherman Rob Sinclair pours a dram into the freezing waves of the North Sea. It's a family tradition; an offering to the sea spirit, the Selkie. 

That same night, a stranger arrives in Rob's village. A young woman, Mairi, charged by her dead mother to carry out three acts of vengeance. Bitter revenge for deeds done before Mairi was born. 

Lonely and damaged, Rob and Mairi are drawn to one another. Rob is beguiled by Mairi, but she is elusive, frustrating, her personality shapeshifting. The only certainty is that Mairi is not who she says she is…

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2025

About the author

I am from Edinburgh, have travelled a lot, lived in France, Palestine, Greece, London, Sussex, the far north of Scotland, and am now living in the beautiful Scottish Borders with a partner, a writing hut and a river in my garden. I always wanted to be a writer but following advice to get ‘a proper job’ I took myself off to the big city of London when I was just nineteen and trained to be a journalist. By 21 I was a journalist on Fleet Street – but soon realised this wasn’t the kind of writing I wanted to do. So off I went – round the world having all kinds of adventures – sailing yachts, sleeping on beaches, looking after children, working on kibbutz…then back to Scotland for more adventures – looking after children with learning disabilities then studying speech and drama. I became a storyteller, drama teacher and voice teacher. I did this for a long while – which was a great learning for a writer, then I remembered my childhood dream – to be a writer. So I took myself off to university, did an MA in creative writing at Sussex University – and wrote!

The Scottish Arts Council sent me up to the far north of Scotland to be a writer in residence. I didn’t even know where Caithness was but that’s where I went, and soon realised Scotland wasn’t as small as I had thought. It’s miles away! I lived there for five years – in a cottage on the beach writing books about the sea and seals and was lucky to win the Kelpies prize 2009 for my first novel – Magnus Fin and the Ocean Quest. (I say first novel but actually I had several other novels gathering dust in drawers.) So since 2007 I have been what you might call ‘a writer.’ And sometimes doing other related things like storytelling and voice teaching.

I went to Duddingston primary school and Portobello High school where I learnt to touch type, speak French, a bit of German, play squash and spell. I suppose I must have learnt a few social skills as there were two and a half thousand of us at Portobello High school!

I was a child and teenage athlete and I am really glad about that. The Commonwealth Games came to Edinburgh when I was about ten and it was very inspiring and I went along to the races with my dad. Then I joined the Edinburgh Southern harriers and spent the next five years running and jumping and throwing a discus, but mostly running and going off all over Scotland on Saturdays to run up hills cross country. I am pretty fit and healthy now and I think that gave me a good boost.

When I visit schools with my Magnus Fin novels children often ask what books I read as a child and I usually answer (rather embarrassed) Mallory Towers! I wanted to be that girl in the attic who wrote stories. But before that, when I was very wee, I loved nursery rhymes, and like athletics I think they gave me a boost into being a writer. I love language and sounds and I remember being really young and loving the sound on my tongue of nursery rhymes like Doctor Foster went to Gloucester or – with rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, she shall have music where ever she goes!

Reviews

[Grace Baird · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

I love Janus’s writing style it was so velvety and enchanting you really felt yourself tumbling into the kaleidoscope of Mairi’s world. Part fading film star part wild selkie. Makes you want to dive into the North Sea!

I felt sympathetic towards Rob but wasn’t entirely convinced of him as a love interest. Overall however I really enjoyed this book and the folklore in it really enriched the tale.

[Fatguyreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a Northern Shore is set on the wild, untamed northern coast of Scotland, a country very dear to my heart, having spent many summer holidays all around Scotland.

So here we have a tale that absolutely exudes atmosphere, feeling and emotion, all three dripping from the pages as you read along. You really do believe you're right there on those blustery, turbulent Scottish shores.

We follow Rob, a lobster fisherman, and Mairi, a stranger who arrives in Rob's town one night. Mairi was tasked with three acts of vengeance by her dead mother, but not is all as it seems. Both are somewhat despondent and lonesome, and their similarities draw them together.

Want to know more? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.

So all in all, an intriguing read, imbued with rich celtic folklore and mythology, and a great gothic feel.

I wouldn’t say it's fast paced, but not all novels should be, some bobb along nicely, just like this one, and that pace suits just right.

4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this book. It had a nice plot, which wandered, about a third of the way through I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm not sure which character was the most admirable.

[Jo Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob is shown to be a haunted man from the moment we meet him, and the author gently reveals his trauma to the reader throughout the book, which made it more impactful I feel than if it was just explained all at once. He’s trapped in the past but also fears for the future and the pain hope could bring. So when he pours a libation for the sea spirit, the selkie, and a beautiful woman rises from the ocean, he almost believes that the myths could be real.

Mairi wears many names through the book, hiding her true identity from the villagers like a sea mist cloaks the rocks. She too is haunted. By a childhood painfully lacking in love. By a mother’s bitterness. And a dying wish.

As the story unfolds and their paths intertwine, I found myself becoming more and more tense, as the author allows us to see the intended wish. I almost wanted to cover my eyes as we raced towards the crescendo, a tsunami which had a lump in my throat, my heart hammering in my chest and pain in my jaw from clenching so tightly.

The writing beautifully portrays not only the pain, hope and history of the characters but also almost personifies the sea, a constant backdrop to the story. This is a truly stunning book and I will be haunted by it for a long time.

[Andrea Hulme · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was beautifully written. The storyline was a delight to read and really hooked me in. From the beginning, I was quickly lured into the mystery of its story as I became invested in the characters and the powerful mystery and magic surrounding the Scottish Selkie, which was woven into the story. The setting was glorious. An isolated community, almost shut down for the winter, where any strange visitors immediately rouse suspicion and intrigue. When a young woman emerges and makes herself at home the gossip and interest of the people she meets is piqued. The imagery of the rugged scottish coastline and the wild climate painted a relatable and honest picture of life for those living close to Scotland’s stormy seas. The beautiful and haunting location plays a huge part in this book and almost becomes a character itself. The characters were wonderfully written. We are pulled into a romantic, wild ride, steeped in Celtic folklore and traditions, with a stunning backdrop to help us along the way. Thoroughly enjoyed this.

[Jessica Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

With this book i wanted to try something a little different for me. I have always been interested in folklore but not really ready many with such link and connection to the celtic ones so i just wanted to dive straight in with it and it did not disappoint. I was hooked from the first chapter you can clearly feel how much Janis has put into each character and the story line.
The way Janis brings you into the story you feel as though you are actually there and to think this is her first Adult book is astounding. It has everything from romance to mystery and all set in the beautiful Scotland what more do you need?
Beautiful scenery ✅️
Romance✅️
Magic✅️
Mystery✅️

you will not want to put this down and be begging for more!!!

[Lucie Yavruturk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly a work of art and magic. I haven’t finished a novel this quickly in years. From the beginning, I was quickly lured into the mystery of its story as I became immediately invested in the characters and the powerful mystery and magic surrounding the Scottish Selkie, which was woven into the story beautifully. The imagery of the rugged scottish coastline and familiar Scottish climate painted a relatable and honest picture of life for those living close to Scotland’s stormy seas. This book drew me in, rousing my senses and making me feel as much a part of the story as the characters themselves. A 5 star page turner… I couldn’t put it down.

[Layla Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful story. One night, Rob Sinclair makes an offering to the selkies, and the next day a beautiful stranger steps into his life. However, just like Rob, this stranger - Yulia, Sophia, Mairi - is just as haunted by her past and the dead. As Mairi battles her mother and reuniting with her grandparents, Rob must battle with his experience on the oil rig and his own mothers abandonment. Together, Rob and Mairi create their own haunting love story, freeing each other from their troubled pasts, and hopefully building a more hopeful future together.

Rich in Scottish folklore, this story is definitely one to add to your TBR!

Thank you to Love Book Tours and Janis MacKay for the eARC

[Cece_tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written, atmospheric and intriguing novel steeped in Scottish culture, folklore and rich characters.

For me, it was easy to read and unputdownable. The prose narrated itself in my mind like silk. It was refreshing to read genuine Scottish dialect and see nods to true Scottish culture.

I felt that this novel was well-timed; didn’t drag or speed through important parts of the story. The words on the pages evoked a feeling in me, and engaged my senses. I’m sure I will still be thinking about it long after finishing it.

I read this in 48 hours - a wonderful book to end a long reading slump.

5/5 from me.

[Anonymous · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a seabird-filled notebook, lobster-filled creels and a mysterious suitcase, generations-worth of trauma surfaces in a place where the air is thin and the wind, wild. On A Northern Shore’s lyrical prose—where “sunlight is swallowed into cloud,” where you “feel like the day” and go “sea watching”—leaves you feeling enchanted, raw and real.

The author’s description of place engrosses so much that I believed myself a Ronester resident for the duration of my read. I knew each room and “sea salt smeared window” in SeaView, could make my way around the local post office-shop and almost knew each stone on the beach

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gripped from the second page. Love the almost poetic descriptions and references to Scottish mythology and sayings. The characterisation provoked deep connections to the main plot of the story which kept you guessing almost to the very last page.
I attended a talk and book signing by the author, which I found added to the the reveal of the story line and the sense of place. Highly recommend this book. Only sorry that it was so gripping that I couldn’t put it down and now have finished. Still feeling close to the characters x thank you

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a beautifully done haunted love story and how good it uses the Celtic folklore. The overall plot was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the way everything was used to tell the story. The characters were so well written and was engaged from their journey. Janis Mackay was able to weave a strong writing style and am excited for more. Janis Mackay does an amazing way of telling the story and making you care about the characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Catherine Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely story set in the North of Scotland. I love stories about selkies. Rob is a lonely man suffering the aftermath of the past. He is mesmerised by a beautiful stranger and imagines her to be a selkie. Extremely well written and atmospheric in a setting of the wild, rugged coast of Scotland in mid-winter. The beautiful stranger, too, is damaged by her past and full of secrets. Janis captures the scenery and mood admirably. The reader is pulled in, vborh by the lyrical writing and the storyline. We hope for a good outcome for Mairie and Rob, but what will the outcome be?

[Siobhain · Rating 5 out of 5]

On A Northern Shore is not like anything I have read for a while if ever. It is magical and a little violent, the writing is beautiful, magical and completely captivating. I loved the tale and how the stories of Rob and Mairi mix together to create something you don’t want to put down. 

It is definitely one you cannot put down and easily a 5 star read.

As always thank you to Love Book Tours for the copy to review. My review is always honest, truthful and freely given.

[BooksCoveredHB · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my full sensory review please visit my blog. Wow! This is a brilliant read, set in Scotland with its wild, eery coastal landscapes and weather. This is a folk tale that explores human nature and I am always up for anything supernatural.

This is a story of love and a hauntingly good one. I found this has a gripping narrative and it makes for a great seasonal read and I highly recommend if you love atmospheric folklore.

[Marcia - itsabookthing2021 · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a Northern Shore had the folklore of sirens and the vivid descriptions of a Scottish Coastline down to a tee... Or at least in my opinion of sirens. The vivid descriptions created such an atmosphere and really created an image whilst reading. The writing in this novel takes you on a journey and it pulls you in. The characters are all equally created which match the writing perfectly. The storyline runs so smoothly and everything about it captures your attention.

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Beautiful writing set in a wonderful landscape. The love story grew in tension and really sucked me in. Sad to leave these characters when I closed the book.

Highly recommend!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A love story between two scarred and lonely people set in remote and windswept Caithness, with an element of folklore and ghostly presences.

[tegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my favourite books I’ve ever read. I came upon it in our local library and was drawn in. this book was such a comfort to me, I related to both main characters a lot and the way the story was told was beautiful, every time I opened the book I felt transported 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🌊 I’d recommend this to anyone but especially to those who love a really immersive read, characters with depth and a touch of folklore.

*trigger warning and some spoilers ahead*

I have cptsd because of my mother and the way this book portrayed mairi’s struggles from her mother was incredible, it felt quite true to my own experience and seeing her finally be free of her mother at the end was so powerful, I also even have my own robert. 🩵 I would’ve loved to have seen her reunion with her grandparents a little more in depth, but either way I still undoubtedly give this 5/5 🦭

[Debs · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am still undecided ab this book. I nearly quit reading it 20 times but persevered. I don't regret finishing it but it was a lot less magical than I thought it would be.

[afra · Rating 5 out of 5]

💙 On a Northern Shore by Janis MacKay ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved this! This book is a work of art and magic. A story that keeps you hooked from the very first page to the last. Set in Scotland, with its wild coasts and stormy seas, it’s beautifully atmospheric. The writing is powerful and utterly captivating, everything you could want in a autumn/winter read. Both emotionally and mysteriously, it hits such a peak that staying unconnected to the story is simply impossible.

If you enjoy reading mystery, literary fiction and Celtic Folklore; then this one is definitely for you!

This is an ARC review. Many thanks to the publisher and the author for kindly sending me this physical copy in exchange for an honest review.