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This Door of the Seas
Not yet published
Expected 5 Jan 27“An immersive tale of betrayal and injustice that reverberates with a howl of anguish three centuries old.”—Chris Brookmyre, author of The Cracked Mirror
From internationally bestselling author Val McDermid and Geographer Royal of Scotland Jo Sharp, a heart-wrenching novella about an ill-fated colonial scheme that bankrupted a country and forever altered the trajectory of history
At the end of the seventeenth century, a brave group of Scots sail for a jungle-coastline on the other side of the world, the junction between North and South America. Their to establish a trading colony that would assure their hard-strapped country’s future, as the East India Company had done for England. Their plan? To open a passage through Panama, a true “door of the seas and key to the universe.” Instead, what begins as a dream of prosperity quickly turns into a nightmare that bankrupts an already impoverished nation and propels it towards political union with England.
Written as a series of letters home from expedition scientist Dr. James Wallace to his wife Eliza and Sir Robert Sibbald, Scotland’s first Geographer Royal, This Door of the Seas offers a devastating account of the infamous Darien Scheme, the colonial misadventure that completely changed the history of Scotland.
From internationally bestselling author Val McDermid and Geographer Royal of Scotland Jo Sharp, a heart-wrenching novella about an ill-fated colonial scheme that bankrupted a country and forever altered the trajectory of history
At the end of the seventeenth century, a brave group of Scots sail for a jungle-coastline on the other side of the world, the junction between North and South America. Their to establish a trading colony that would assure their hard-strapped country’s future, as the East India Company had done for England. Their plan? To open a passage through Panama, a true “door of the seas and key to the universe.” Instead, what begins as a dream of prosperity quickly turns into a nightmare that bankrupts an already impoverished nation and propels it towards political union with England.
Written as a series of letters home from expedition scientist Dr. James Wallace to his wife Eliza and Sir Robert Sibbald, Scotland’s first Geographer Royal, This Door of the Seas offers a devastating account of the infamous Darien Scheme, the colonial misadventure that completely changed the history of Scotland.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 5, 2027
About the author
Val McDermid
341 books5,605 followersVal McDermid is a No. 1 bestseller whose novels have been translated into more than thirty languages, and have sold over eleven million copies.
She has won many awards internationally, including the CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year and the LA Times Book of the Year Award. She was inducted into the ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards Hall of Fame in 2009 and was the recipient of the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for 2010. In 2011 she received the Lambda Literary Foundation Pioneer Award.
She writes full time and divides her time between Cheshire and Edinburgh.
She has won many awards internationally, including the CWA Gold Dagger for best crime novel of the year and the LA Times Book of the Year Award. She was inducted into the ITV3 Crime Thriller Awards Hall of Fame in 2009 and was the recipient of the CWA Cartier Diamond Dagger for 2010. In 2011 she received the Lambda Literary Foundation Pioneer Award.
She writes full time and divides her time between Cheshire and Edinburgh.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Review of advance copy
It is strange seeing Goodreads put this down as a book yet to be published until January, 2027 when the local independent bookshop had multiple signed copies in August, 2026.
The book is a novella, and part of the Darkland Tales which have been published by Polygon over the last 3 years. The standard of this series of novellas based upon episodes of Scottish history is generally very good given the calibre of the authors involved, and this one is no exception. Val McDermid hardly requires introduction and the co-author is Jo Sharp who is the Geographer Royal for Scotland which, in a nutshell, means that the research behind the book can be trusted as meticulous.
The fictional part is that the story is predicated as coming from a recently discovered series of letters from a Dr James Wallace who is part of the first expedition, and also returned for the second expedition. The letters are mainly to his wife and to Sir William Paterson (the man who effectively promoted the Darien project at the time and raised 20% of all the money in Scotland at the time to put it into action). The letters are a very effective vehicle for telling the story naturally and at pace. Dr Wallace was a real person on the first expedition but beyond that, little of his experiences or views are known. As for Paterson, he was a real person who founded the Bank of England before, and promoted the idea of union with England after, the failure of the Darien Scheme. His motivations are not covered in this book because he maintains trust with Dr Wallace to a very late stage and is prudent enough not to reveal anything but enthusiasm for the project. But, on the basis of his actions, he is either incredibly naive, an opportunist of little moral fibre who reacted to situations as they arose for his own largesse or a Fifth Columnist within Scotland from the outset.
There was a quotation circulating this week to the effect that if Scots were taught their history, they would already be independent. More to the point, our history has been so ignored at school level (I was taught no Scottish history) that it is a wonder that Scots even have a nebulous concept of their own historical identity. In my experience, folk culture filled the vacuum of formal education, and even then, the BBC Shortbread tried their level best to make that as mawkish as possible (known as "the cringe"). No wonder older generations of Scots even today cannot conceive of themselves as anything other than "too wee, too poor and/or too stupid" to run their own affairs. And, of course, it has all become a self-fulfilling prophecy for such people. They only need gaze across the sea to Norway to see that the possibilities and affluence on full display there were theirs to share as well but the penny never quite drops.
Which brings us onto the Darien Scheme of 1698-99. This was independent Scotland's attempt to join the big boys and grab a piece of emerging global trade to improve its domestic situation. Darien was hardly a large place; it was just supposed to be a trading colony. It was positioned in what would become Panama on a narrow section of the land which would be crossed by roads to take goods from the Caribbean to the Pacific. On paper, this sounds like a great idea. Indeed, a little to the north and over 300 years later, the Panama Canal would do just that. In practice, in 1700, the engineering knowledge, medical advances and supply of money was not sufficient. But, that is unfair to the spirit of the Scots who made the trip because there was a more pressing problem: their own King. William III, King of England and Scotland, but based in London, decided to make it illegal for anyone to trade with Darien in the middle of the first expedition and decreed that the English navy were there to enforce that economic blockade. The colony was stillborn as a result of its own Royal Family deliberately making it so. Of course, there were many other large practical and personal problems but with hope of success having been removed, the morale naturally dipped and squabbles broke out. That would have happened to any nationality. Without a flow of money, Darien was just a bit of inhospitable jungle with no financials for improvement or optimism.
The book does not shirk away from showing the other all too human faults. To use footballing parlance (and many of our World Cup campaigns have similar endings), there were plenty of own goals. But, invariably, it was the poor who took the hit by dying in large numbers of disease and malnutrition or becoming indentured workers in the plantations of the Carolinas. By contrast, the noblemen and lairds returned and scooped up bribes from the English Parliament to push through the Treaty of Union of 1707 against popular opinion. There is indeed the suggestion that Darien was a "set up" from the start designed to impoverish the country and make it more susceptible to a power grab by the English. Burn's oft quoted line is "We were bought and sold for English gold/Such a parcel of rogues in a nation." I often thought the "parcel of rogues" were the English Parliament but actually, the parcel of rogues were Scottish landed and titled gentry. Who knew! And they are still hanging around today.
If it has not come across so far, a very interesting little read!
The book is a novella, and part of the Darkland Tales which have been published by Polygon over the last 3 years. The standard of this series of novellas based upon episodes of Scottish history is generally very good given the calibre of the authors involved, and this one is no exception. Val McDermid hardly requires introduction and the co-author is Jo Sharp who is the Geographer Royal for Scotland which, in a nutshell, means that the research behind the book can be trusted as meticulous.
The fictional part is that the story is predicated as coming from a recently discovered series of letters from a Dr James Wallace who is part of the first expedition, and also returned for the second expedition. The letters are mainly to his wife and to Sir William Paterson (the man who effectively promoted the Darien project at the time and raised 20% of all the money in Scotland at the time to put it into action). The letters are a very effective vehicle for telling the story naturally and at pace. Dr Wallace was a real person on the first expedition but beyond that, little of his experiences or views are known. As for Paterson, he was a real person who founded the Bank of England before, and promoted the idea of union with England after, the failure of the Darien Scheme. His motivations are not covered in this book because he maintains trust with Dr Wallace to a very late stage and is prudent enough not to reveal anything but enthusiasm for the project. But, on the basis of his actions, he is either incredibly naive, an opportunist of little moral fibre who reacted to situations as they arose for his own largesse or a Fifth Columnist within Scotland from the outset.
There was a quotation circulating this week to the effect that if Scots were taught their history, they would already be independent. More to the point, our history has been so ignored at school level (I was taught no Scottish history) that it is a wonder that Scots even have a nebulous concept of their own historical identity. In my experience, folk culture filled the vacuum of formal education, and even then, the BBC Shortbread tried their level best to make that as mawkish as possible (known as "the cringe"). No wonder older generations of Scots even today cannot conceive of themselves as anything other than "too wee, too poor and/or too stupid" to run their own affairs. And, of course, it has all become a self-fulfilling prophecy for such people. They only need gaze across the sea to Norway to see that the possibilities and affluence on full display there were theirs to share as well but the penny never quite drops.
Which brings us onto the Darien Scheme of 1698-99. This was independent Scotland's attempt to join the big boys and grab a piece of emerging global trade to improve its domestic situation. Darien was hardly a large place; it was just supposed to be a trading colony. It was positioned in what would become Panama on a narrow section of the land which would be crossed by roads to take goods from the Caribbean to the Pacific. On paper, this sounds like a great idea. Indeed, a little to the north and over 300 years later, the Panama Canal would do just that. In practice, in 1700, the engineering knowledge, medical advances and supply of money was not sufficient. But, that is unfair to the spirit of the Scots who made the trip because there was a more pressing problem: their own King. William III, King of England and Scotland, but based in London, decided to make it illegal for anyone to trade with Darien in the middle of the first expedition and decreed that the English navy were there to enforce that economic blockade. The colony was stillborn as a result of its own Royal Family deliberately making it so. Of course, there were many other large practical and personal problems but with hope of success having been removed, the morale naturally dipped and squabbles broke out. That would have happened to any nationality. Without a flow of money, Darien was just a bit of inhospitable jungle with no financials for improvement or optimism.
The book does not shirk away from showing the other all too human faults. To use footballing parlance (and many of our World Cup campaigns have similar endings), there were plenty of own goals. But, invariably, it was the poor who took the hit by dying in large numbers of disease and malnutrition or becoming indentured workers in the plantations of the Carolinas. By contrast, the noblemen and lairds returned and scooped up bribes from the English Parliament to push through the Treaty of Union of 1707 against popular opinion. There is indeed the suggestion that Darien was a "set up" from the start designed to impoverish the country and make it more susceptible to a power grab by the English. Burn's oft quoted line is "We were bought and sold for English gold/Such a parcel of rogues in a nation." I often thought the "parcel of rogues" were the English Parliament but actually, the parcel of rogues were Scottish landed and titled gentry. Who knew! And they are still hanging around today.
If it has not come across so far, a very interesting little read!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Reviewed by Trish Palmer for Bluewolf Reviews and New South Books.
Val McDermid and Jo Sharp have brought to light a little known and extraordinary piece of Scottish history in This Door of the Seas. They have completed this task in a detailed and precise piece of writing, obtaining original letters and documents which give accurate reports.
During the 1600’s Scotland was struggling financially. The East India Company had forbidden them to trade, and their crops were failing. In 1701, a gentleman by the name of William Patterson, had written about the marvellous benefits of starting a Colony in Darien. This is the isthmus between North and South America. He suggested that it would increase trade and beget money for Scotland. And so it was, a group of four ships set sail, one carrying Dr James Wallace.
The next information comes from a letter to the National Library of Scotland. A gentleman was cleaning out his father’s house when he came across papers. They were written by Dr James Wallace, a scientist who was one of the 2,000 men who set sail from Scotland in 1698 and 1699 for the jungle of Darien in Panama. Dr Wallace had Sir Robert Sibbald as a mentor.
Sir Robert had been appointed as Geographer Royal and requested James to travel to the new colony in his place, reporting back to him on aspects of the natives, flora and fauna. The following chapters contain the correspondence and notes of Dr James Wallace from 1698-1707.
His intent was to give an accurate and truthful account of the disastrous attempt at colonisation. Many of the early letters are written to his beloved wife. He believed that a rich future lay ahead for himself and his wife and future children.
The trials and mistakes make by the organizers of this expedition were numerous. They had such a poor insight into; what the land was like, the divisions between the men, the sickness and disease that was always lurking in the humid jungle, the natives, that failure was the only possible outcome.
Dr James maintained his documentation and letter writing to the end. This Door of the Seas is a brilliant explanation of Scottish History of which many are not aware.
Val McDermid and Jo Sharp have brought to light a little known and extraordinary piece of Scottish history in This Door of the Seas. They have completed this task in a detailed and precise piece of writing, obtaining original letters and documents which give accurate reports.
During the 1600’s Scotland was struggling financially. The East India Company had forbidden them to trade, and their crops were failing. In 1701, a gentleman by the name of William Patterson, had written about the marvellous benefits of starting a Colony in Darien. This is the isthmus between North and South America. He suggested that it would increase trade and beget money for Scotland. And so it was, a group of four ships set sail, one carrying Dr James Wallace.
The next information comes from a letter to the National Library of Scotland. A gentleman was cleaning out his father’s house when he came across papers. They were written by Dr James Wallace, a scientist who was one of the 2,000 men who set sail from Scotland in 1698 and 1699 for the jungle of Darien in Panama. Dr Wallace had Sir Robert Sibbald as a mentor.
Sir Robert had been appointed as Geographer Royal and requested James to travel to the new colony in his place, reporting back to him on aspects of the natives, flora and fauna. The following chapters contain the correspondence and notes of Dr James Wallace from 1698-1707.
His intent was to give an accurate and truthful account of the disastrous attempt at colonisation. Many of the early letters are written to his beloved wife. He believed that a rich future lay ahead for himself and his wife and future children.
The trials and mistakes make by the organizers of this expedition were numerous. They had such a poor insight into; what the land was like, the divisions between the men, the sickness and disease that was always lurking in the humid jungle, the natives, that failure was the only possible outcome.
Dr James maintained his documentation and letter writing to the end. This Door of the Seas is a brilliant explanation of Scottish History of which many are not aware.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Before I read this novella I had never heard of the Darien Scheme. Now that I have read the novella and done a little research of my own, I mourn the impacts of what was a tragedy, for both Scotland and those Scots who participated.
So, what was the Darien Scheme? It was a failed attempt by Scotland to establish a trading colony (‘New Caledonia’) on the Isthmus of Panama. The Company of Scotland was a trading company established in 1695 to promote Scottish trade overseas. It is now remembered for the disaster of the Darien Scheme: a disaster which cost 2,00 lives and lost Scotland a quarter of its liquid capital. The failure of the Darien Scheme, I read, is cited as one of the key reasons the Scots accepted the Act of Union with England in 1707. The Scots realised that future commercial development required unimpeded access to English colonies and free trade between both nations. This was one of the factors that had contributed to the Darien failure.
In this novella, the story unfolds through letters written by Doctor James Wallace to both his wife Eliza and to Sir Robert Sibbald, Scotland’s first Geographer Royal. The (fictional) letters effectively demonstrate the challenges and hardships faced by both the first and second expeditions to Darien.
I admire the way in which the authors brought both the historical period and the challenges faced by the expeditioners to life. I think that the letters provide a perfect vehicle for providing an insight into events.
Both tragic and fascinating.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
So, what was the Darien Scheme? It was a failed attempt by Scotland to establish a trading colony (‘New Caledonia’) on the Isthmus of Panama. The Company of Scotland was a trading company established in 1695 to promote Scottish trade overseas. It is now remembered for the disaster of the Darien Scheme: a disaster which cost 2,00 lives and lost Scotland a quarter of its liquid capital. The failure of the Darien Scheme, I read, is cited as one of the key reasons the Scots accepted the Act of Union with England in 1707. The Scots realised that future commercial development required unimpeded access to English colonies and free trade between both nations. This was one of the factors that had contributed to the Darien failure.
In this novella, the story unfolds through letters written by Doctor James Wallace to both his wife Eliza and to Sir Robert Sibbald, Scotland’s first Geographer Royal. The (fictional) letters effectively demonstrate the challenges and hardships faced by both the first and second expeditions to Darien.
I admire the way in which the authors brought both the historical period and the challenges faced by the expeditioners to life. I think that the letters provide a perfect vehicle for providing an insight into events.
Both tragic and fascinating.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to Netgalley and Grove for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for honest feedback.
Well. This was an enlightening read to say the least. I’m always up for a history lesson, especially when it’s focussed on a little-known point in the timeline. As a Scot myself, I like to think I know the headlines in our (often bloody) history but of this, I had no idea! Since reading this novella, I’ve been prompted to dig into it more and by all accounts, the book sticks well to the facts.
A Scottish trading company established, 1500 would-be colonists set forth from Edinburgh in 1698 to colonise Darien, in what is now Panama. The story is told through the letters of James Wallace who writes to his wife, his employer and a friend (who is also the “visionary” behind the whole scheme). As the colonists endure trials and tribulations, rampant sickness and betrayal, it’s evident that failure can be the only eventual outcome. Through his letters, Wallace conveys his hopes for the endeavour, an honest accounting of the actions taken by their leadership, the comings and goings from the bay, the various misfortunes suffered and his observations of all points of his surroundings and more besides.
It’s clear that this book has been meticulously researched and the writing style is such that it’s a good way to spend a day!
Well. This was an enlightening read to say the least. I’m always up for a history lesson, especially when it’s focussed on a little-known point in the timeline. As a Scot myself, I like to think I know the headlines in our (often bloody) history but of this, I had no idea! Since reading this novella, I’ve been prompted to dig into it more and by all accounts, the book sticks well to the facts.
A Scottish trading company established, 1500 would-be colonists set forth from Edinburgh in 1698 to colonise Darien, in what is now Panama. The story is told through the letters of James Wallace who writes to his wife, his employer and a friend (who is also the “visionary” behind the whole scheme). As the colonists endure trials and tribulations, rampant sickness and betrayal, it’s evident that failure can be the only eventual outcome. Through his letters, Wallace conveys his hopes for the endeavour, an honest accounting of the actions taken by their leadership, the comings and goings from the bay, the various misfortunes suffered and his observations of all points of his surroundings and more besides.
It’s clear that this book has been meticulously researched and the writing style is such that it’s a good way to spend a day!
June 26, 2026
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this novella.
This Door of the Seas by Jo Sharp and Val McDermid is a quick, entertaining historical novella that transports readers back to 1698 and Scotland’s ill-fated Darien expedition. Told through the letters and journal entries of Dr. James Wallace, the story feels remarkably authentic, often making you forget you’re reading historical fiction rather than genuine historical documents.
I knew very little about this period of Scottish history before picking up this book, so every new development came as a surprise. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse for the expedition, they somehow did. It made for a fascinating and engaging read, even as the events became increasingly tragic.
The epistolary format works wonderfully, drawing you into the voyage and making you feel as though you’re experiencing the expedition alongside its passengers. The writing is smooth and accessible, making this an ideal novella to read in a single sitting.
If you enjoy historical fiction, particularly stories centred on sea voyages and forgotten moments in history, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try. It’s a compelling, atmospheric read that packs a lot into its short length.
This Door of the Seas by Jo Sharp and Val McDermid is a quick, entertaining historical novella that transports readers back to 1698 and Scotland’s ill-fated Darien expedition. Told through the letters and journal entries of Dr. James Wallace, the story feels remarkably authentic, often making you forget you’re reading historical fiction rather than genuine historical documents.
I knew very little about this period of Scottish history before picking up this book, so every new development came as a surprise. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse for the expedition, they somehow did. It made for a fascinating and engaging read, even as the events became increasingly tragic.
The epistolary format works wonderfully, drawing you into the voyage and making you feel as though you’re experiencing the expedition alongside its passengers. The writing is smooth and accessible, making this an ideal novella to read in a single sitting.
If you enjoy historical fiction, particularly stories centred on sea voyages and forgotten moments in history, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try. It’s a compelling, atmospheric read that packs a lot into its short length.
July 26, 2026
ARC copy kindly provided by NetGalley and Atlantic Grove in exchange for an honest review.
This was for me, an absolute triple threat. Historical fiction, historical fact and a story set at sea.
I didn’t know much about The Darien Scheme before reading this, but is an essential part of Scottish and ultimately British history, and this powerful and immersive book, tells the tale from start to end so compellingly.
Written entirely on the form of correspondence back home to our main “character” James Wallace’s wife Eliza, Dr Robert Sibbald a botanist who didn’t go on the journey due to his age, and finally William Patterson, a main mover and shaker of the scheme who had returned home.
For me, this was a short but powerful tale, and at times I had to remind myself that, whilst of course firmly grounded in reality that is was a work of fiction, as the style of the correspondence and the language used felt so believable and reminiscent to letters and journal entries in books I’ve read such as The Wager.
I loved this, and will without doubt be picking up a copy on its release.
This was for me, an absolute triple threat. Historical fiction, historical fact and a story set at sea.
I didn’t know much about The Darien Scheme before reading this, but is an essential part of Scottish and ultimately British history, and this powerful and immersive book, tells the tale from start to end so compellingly.
Written entirely on the form of correspondence back home to our main “character” James Wallace’s wife Eliza, Dr Robert Sibbald a botanist who didn’t go on the journey due to his age, and finally William Patterson, a main mover and shaker of the scheme who had returned home.
For me, this was a short but powerful tale, and at times I had to remind myself that, whilst of course firmly grounded in reality that is was a work of fiction, as the style of the correspondence and the language used felt so believable and reminiscent to letters and journal entries in books I’ve read such as The Wager.
I loved this, and will without doubt be picking up a copy on its release.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced reading copy from NetGalley and this is my review:
Written in epistolary format, This Door of the Seas is a fast paced historical fiction novella. It is based on a true story of Scotland's attempt in 1698 to establish a trading colony in Darien, Panama. We follow an expedition scientist James Wallace as he aboards a ship and sails with the company to the promised Eden of prosperity. As you might expect, the company's expedition is not going as planned and they face numerous hardships.
It's always wonderful to learn something from a historical fiction book. Scotland has fascinated me a long time and now I have a little bit more information about it. I had a good time with this little book, and it mainly was what I expected it to be and I'm glad I read it.
But the plot driven approach left me feel a bit distanced from the characters. I would have wanted to spend more time in Darien hearing what James did there and how the everyday life was. The political scheming was also something I wish that had been spend more time with.
Written in epistolary format, This Door of the Seas is a fast paced historical fiction novella. It is based on a true story of Scotland's attempt in 1698 to establish a trading colony in Darien, Panama. We follow an expedition scientist James Wallace as he aboards a ship and sails with the company to the promised Eden of prosperity. As you might expect, the company's expedition is not going as planned and they face numerous hardships.
It's always wonderful to learn something from a historical fiction book. Scotland has fascinated me a long time and now I have a little bit more information about it. I had a good time with this little book, and it mainly was what I expected it to be and I'm glad I read it.
But the plot driven approach left me feel a bit distanced from the characters. I would have wanted to spend more time in Darien hearing what James did there and how the everyday life was. The political scheming was also something I wish that had been spend more time with.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fantastic short read about a really interesting piece of history. I had no idea about the historical context when I started reading (other than from the blurb that perhaps the expedition doesn't go as smoothly as hoped) and I feel like I came out of this book having learnt a lot! I appreciate the sources and historical context given at the back of the book.
I think one of my favourite parts of this book was the pacing. I've read a few books in this epistolary format, and there's always a level of disengagement from the actions the letter writer is talking about. However, I felt like the setting in this book and the flow of actions made me want to keep turning the page to see what disaster would befall them by the start of the next letter. There was so much action packed into the story that it was easy to forget that it was written in this format from time to time.
I will definitely be recommending this book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I think one of my favourite parts of this book was the pacing. I've read a few books in this epistolary format, and there's always a level of disengagement from the actions the letter writer is talking about. However, I felt like the setting in this book and the flow of actions made me want to keep turning the page to see what disaster would befall them by the start of the next letter. There was so much action packed into the story that it was easy to forget that it was written in this format from time to time.
I will definitely be recommending this book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
July 28, 2026
Thank you to Val McDermid, Jo Sharp, Grove Atlantic | Atlantic Monthly Press, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This Door of the Seas is part historical non-fiction and part historical fiction. Told in an epistolary format, James Wallace writes to his beloved wife Eliza, the aged botanist Dr Richard Sibbald, and William Patterson.
Over one thousand men in five ships set out to claim the land of Panama for Scotland in a desperate attempt to set up their own trading post and as a last stand against the political might of the English in the late 17th century. The infamous Darien scheme goes absolutely tits up and ends up in catastrophic disease (bad), heavy mortality (worse), and a political merger with England (horrifying).
This was a compelling read and an important historical event for anyone remotely British / Scottish!
This Door of the Seas is part historical non-fiction and part historical fiction. Told in an epistolary format, James Wallace writes to his beloved wife Eliza, the aged botanist Dr Richard Sibbald, and William Patterson.
Over one thousand men in five ships set out to claim the land of Panama for Scotland in a desperate attempt to set up their own trading post and as a last stand against the political might of the English in the late 17th century. The infamous Darien scheme goes absolutely tits up and ends up in catastrophic disease (bad), heavy mortality (worse), and a political merger with England (horrifying).
This was a compelling read and an important historical event for anyone remotely British / Scottish!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Interesting tale written in form of letters to his wife. Historical and entertaining. Thank you to the authors. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Review of advance copy
Couldn't put it down! It brought the very sad story of the Darien disaster to life. Loved it. Got the novel at the Edinburgh book festival.
September 21, 2026
What a ride! The narrator was great to listen too and I eagerly waited each letter and the events in them.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This Door of the Seas by Val McDermid and Jo Sharp is the 7th instalment in the Darkland Tales, a series of stories connected by their telling of Scotlands history.
This epistolary novel (composed of letters) details the travel made by The Darien Venture, the journey to establish the only trading colony Scotland has ever had, and the consequences it brought.
I thought it was well-written, and carried both the emotional weight, as well as fulfilling the historical aspect without it becoming too heavy.
I do not have much else to say other than if you are looking for a short book of historical fiction or you are very interested in Scotlands history, you should give it a try.
This epistolary novel (composed of letters) details the travel made by The Darien Venture, the journey to establish the only trading colony Scotland has ever had, and the consequences it brought.
I thought it was well-written, and carried both the emotional weight, as well as fulfilling the historical aspect without it becoming too heavy.
I do not have much else to say other than if you are looking for a short book of historical fiction or you are very interested in Scotlands history, you should give it a try.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews