Fields of Blue Flax

by Sue Lawrence

Dark Victorian secrets mirror the pattern of betrayal and deception in the present. Set in Edinburgh and Dundee, Fields of Blue Flax is the parallel story of, in the past, dark Victorian secrets uncovered and, in the present, how an innocent interest in genealogy brings a family to the brink of destruction. This is a remarkable and compelling debut novel by Sue Lawrence, renowned food writer, journalist and broadcaster, and first ever winner of BBC TV's Masterchef. Cousins Mags and Christine are complete opposites, one conventional the other bohemian. As family life with husbands and children intertwine, their joint research into the family history uncovers a forgotten relative, Elizabeth Barrie, born in the late nineteenth century in the north east village of Tannadice. Elizabeth's origins aren't what they appear to be, hiding a shocking scandal at the very heart of a prominent, 'respectable' family. Unprepared for what they will find about their relative, the truth at the heart of Elizabeth's story mirrors the cousins' own equally dysfunctional family lives. Both Mags and Christine find out in different ways that uncovering a family's past can have unexpected and irrevocable consequences for those living in the present. Two weeks after his death, Susan McPherson sees her father on the street in Glasgow. Not long after she takes an overdose and is committed to a psychiatric institution. There she is given a cocktail of drugs and soon finds herself moving between the reality of hospital and an alternate city, permanently covered in snow and ice. In her new world her gay brother, Jamie, is now married to Claire. The country is dominated by militant pagan groups and Christian fundamentalism is on the rise, led by the charismatic preacher, McLean. Susan is befriended by Raj, a mysterious man who creates paintings of wolves and Norse legends. As Susan is drawn into the struggles and relationships of this new parallel world, her grip on her 'first world' loosens further. Who is Raj and what are his intentions? What will happen when in the new repressive world her brother is unmasked as a homosexual? What is McLean's real agenda? Can Susan resolve the crises in the ice-bound city in order to return to reality?

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 4, 2015

Reviews

[Cerys · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had the makings of a good book. The premise was great, cousins exploring their family history in the present day, told in tandem with the story of their great grandmother in the 1860s & 70s. But, the use of the same property in both time periods, with apparently no connection worried me, I kept expecting a great reveal which didn't come & the actual great reveal was far too obvious. The conclusion of the book was a bit of a let-down and not really necessary.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The chapters were short with lots of dialogue and I liked the way that the historical timeline went backwards, in the same way that you would research your own family history.
Some parts were a bit predictable but still enjoyable. I was disappointed by the ending but overall it was a good read and I would have no problems recommending it.

[Annette Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a disappointment.

[MISS M L BARKER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

A very good book but there seems to be an error in the middle of the book. This should not ruin the reading though.

[Alison Hood · Rating 1 out of 5]

Never judge a book by its cover - this applies to this book. The back cover made it sound like a good choice. Sadly it didn't meet expectations. I didn't finish it as it was stilted and obvious.