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Hew Cullan Mystery #6
1588: A Calendar of Crime: One Year, Five Mysteries
A grisly murder. A vanishing corpse. A secret romance. A ghostly tale. An innocent accused.
1588.
It is a dark and turbulent time. Scotland's queen has been executed, the Spanish king seeks revenge, and the people of St Andrews cling desperately to the rhythm of the old ways.
The ancient burgh is renowned throughout Europe as a seat of Church and learning but it is also a town full of suspicion, conspiracy and murder. Shirley McKay sets her intriguing and sometimes comic tale around the key points in the the four quarter days of Candlemas, Whitsun, Lammas, Martinmas and the feast day of Yule.
When the first victim is discovered on Candlemas Eve, Hew Cullan, scholar and lawyer, is called upon to investigate; the dark side of the sixteenth century comes alive in a rich tapestry infused with the textures of history and folklore, woven by a master crime writer.
1588.
It is a dark and turbulent time. Scotland's queen has been executed, the Spanish king seeks revenge, and the people of St Andrews cling desperately to the rhythm of the old ways.
The ancient burgh is renowned throughout Europe as a seat of Church and learning but it is also a town full of suspicion, conspiracy and murder. Shirley McKay sets her intriguing and sometimes comic tale around the key points in the the four quarter days of Candlemas, Whitsun, Lammas, Martinmas and the feast day of Yule.
When the first victim is discovered on Candlemas Eve, Hew Cullan, scholar and lawyer, is called upon to investigate; the dark side of the sixteenth century comes alive in a rich tapestry infused with the textures of history and folklore, woven by a master crime writer.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
17 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Shirley Mckay
13 books43 followersShirley McKay was born in Tynemouth but now lives with her family in Fife. At the age of fifteen she won the Young Observer playwriting competition, her play being performed at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs. She went on to study English and Linguistics at the University of St Andrews before attending Durham University for postgraduate study in Romantic and seventeenth century prose. She was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger. Shirley works as a freelance proofreader.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 3, 2018
The language is so rich in this book that there is a glossary at the end for the archaic and colorful Scots words in the stories (it is structured as five separate but sequential tales). I didn’t need to refer to it terribly often (context usually helps), but I read it for pleasure when I’d finished the book! The best reasons to read one of these books — it’s a series— are the characters, atmosphere, and settings, as opposed to the mystery deaths. I enjoyed it a lot and am hunting around for the rest of the series.
November 18, 2016
Shirley McKay - 1588 A Calendar of Crime.
Latest in the Hew Cullan series of mysteries.
This is a lighter read than the crime I normally go for and I thoroughly enjoyed the change of mood. This book is a perfect fit for the lengthening chilly evenings and an ideal Christmas present for fans of historical murder mysteries.
'1588', is set in the year of the Armada, which forms some of the background to the stories, it is one of the themes that links the five stories here contained. The calendar is significant because the people of the time lived by the seasons and the stories are linked in the form of an almanac. It is this that gives the stories a loose feel of a novel although each of the tales have been published as individual e-Stories and can be read as such. This edition, elegantly presented for a standard hardback comes with a glossary of words and historical notes that provides a light guide to the background to the stories for those who want to learn more.
The crimes/tales are well crafted and entertaining. The stories themselves cover the death of a candle maker, Spanish ghosts, love as a destructive and redemptive force, false crimes, and personal peril for Hew Cullan.
I thoroughly enjoyed '1588 A Calendar of Crime'. McKay is well versed in the history of the time; the superstition and beliefs, the emerging scientific knowledge, the cyclical nature of life. She is also comfortable with her characters and these two things have enabled her to concentrate on bringing a fresh edge and invention to the stories here told. There are also little twists on the familiar that work well. I liked the Scottish burr and McKay's light way with the old language just enough to place the novel properly in its setting. There are some darker moments, after all these were perilous times, but I was more struck by the playful and witty tone that deftly underpins the stories. Some of the encounters between characters, their banter, misunderstandings and situations that arise made me smile, (McKay created a light air of farce in one or two places).
I didn't feel that not having read any of the previous Hew Cullan novels was a hindrance to enjoying this book, and I would not be averse to picking one up in the future if I was in the right mood. As good as Ellis Peters, Candace Robb, Paul Doherty for me.
Latest in the Hew Cullan series of mysteries.
This is a lighter read than the crime I normally go for and I thoroughly enjoyed the change of mood. This book is a perfect fit for the lengthening chilly evenings and an ideal Christmas present for fans of historical murder mysteries.
'1588', is set in the year of the Armada, which forms some of the background to the stories, it is one of the themes that links the five stories here contained. The calendar is significant because the people of the time lived by the seasons and the stories are linked in the form of an almanac. It is this that gives the stories a loose feel of a novel although each of the tales have been published as individual e-Stories and can be read as such. This edition, elegantly presented for a standard hardback comes with a glossary of words and historical notes that provides a light guide to the background to the stories for those who want to learn more.
The crimes/tales are well crafted and entertaining. The stories themselves cover the death of a candle maker, Spanish ghosts, love as a destructive and redemptive force, false crimes, and personal peril for Hew Cullan.
I thoroughly enjoyed '1588 A Calendar of Crime'. McKay is well versed in the history of the time; the superstition and beliefs, the emerging scientific knowledge, the cyclical nature of life. She is also comfortable with her characters and these two things have enabled her to concentrate on bringing a fresh edge and invention to the stories here told. There are also little twists on the familiar that work well. I liked the Scottish burr and McKay's light way with the old language just enough to place the novel properly in its setting. There are some darker moments, after all these were perilous times, but I was more struck by the playful and witty tone that deftly underpins the stories. Some of the encounters between characters, their banter, misunderstandings and situations that arise made me smile, (McKay created a light air of farce in one or two places).
I didn't feel that not having read any of the previous Hew Cullan novels was a hindrance to enjoying this book, and I would not be averse to picking one up in the future if I was in the right mood. As good as Ellis Peters, Candace Robb, Paul Doherty for me.
February 10, 2019
I love this series the more I read of it - charming and warm, truly moving and very humane. It also absolutely gives the impression of being almost as equal a feat of scholarship and great love for a historical period as that of my utter heroine, Dorothy Dunnett.
March 12, 2019
Excellent novel, as well-written as the others on the series. As with some other Scottish novels I have read recently, I am amazed that this isn't as well known as it should be, given its quality.
June 13, 2021
Vaguely interesting from a historical view, I suppose, but not your average period 'detective' story, such as Cadfael, for example. An easy read.
March 16, 2019
As we hit mid-March, and I hit 25 books (about half of which have, unusually, been historical fiction set in the Tudor period), this is my favourite read of 2019 so far.
This volume gathers five relatively short, separate but intertwined accounts of life in St Andrews over a single year, and presents them in almanac form, following the festivals of Candlemas, Whitsunday, Lammas, Martinmas and Yule. The main character is Hew Cullan; the stories centre round deaths he is obliged to investigate and events in his extended household.
There’s nothing showy or flash in this book – no plots to kill the King/Queen; no bizarre rituals or serial killers; no appropriation of the charismatic mantle of well-known historical figures; no beautiful, headstrong duchesses to be seduced.
Thank God for that!
Shirley Mckay writes about the mundanity of human lives (and deaths) in a beautiful, sensitive way. She captures the loves, fears, friendships and rivalries of ordinary human beings remarkably well. The book is suffused with atmosphere, often melancholic and poignant: the ‘Lammas’ section in particular is heartbreaking. The characters and relationship are well-drawn and complex, and the customs of time and place brought to life subtly, without any intrusive or clumsy exposition. The book is appended by a useful glossary of some of the Scottish vernacular and some background information about the festivals themselves. Something which –might– have proved useful is a family tree of sorts, allowing easy reference to the relationships and hierarchies involved.
Highly recommended if you want a more thoughtful visit to the 16th century than the usual potboiler provides.
This volume gathers five relatively short, separate but intertwined accounts of life in St Andrews over a single year, and presents them in almanac form, following the festivals of Candlemas, Whitsunday, Lammas, Martinmas and Yule. The main character is Hew Cullan; the stories centre round deaths he is obliged to investigate and events in his extended household.
There’s nothing showy or flash in this book – no plots to kill the King/Queen; no bizarre rituals or serial killers; no appropriation of the charismatic mantle of well-known historical figures; no beautiful, headstrong duchesses to be seduced.
Thank God for that!
Shirley Mckay writes about the mundanity of human lives (and deaths) in a beautiful, sensitive way. She captures the loves, fears, friendships and rivalries of ordinary human beings remarkably well. The book is suffused with atmosphere, often melancholic and poignant: the ‘Lammas’ section in particular is heartbreaking. The characters and relationship are well-drawn and complex, and the customs of time and place brought to life subtly, without any intrusive or clumsy exposition. The book is appended by a useful glossary of some of the Scottish vernacular and some background information about the festivals themselves. Something which –might– have proved useful is a family tree of sorts, allowing easy reference to the relationships and hierarchies involved.
Highly recommended if you want a more thoughtful visit to the 16th century than the usual potboiler provides.
October 2, 2023
A disappointing novel, made all the more so as it is not only set in an interesting period, but also gives a tantalising glimpse of the Spanish fleet off the east coast of Scotland, without really developing this theme.
The setting of different events around key dates in the calendar gives the book the feel of a short story collection, but I found the stories somewhat turgid and cumbersome, with too many characters introduced, but not developed. From time to time, I felt that the plot was moving along promising lines, only for it to deviate into what can only be described as rather dull areas.
I came to the book with high hopes, having read a lot of Alison Weir and Philippa Gregory, but this author is not in their league.
The setting of different events around key dates in the calendar gives the book the feel of a short story collection, but I found the stories somewhat turgid and cumbersome, with too many characters introduced, but not developed. From time to time, I felt that the plot was moving along promising lines, only for it to deviate into what can only be described as rather dull areas.
I came to the book with high hopes, having read a lot of Alison Weir and Philippa Gregory, but this author is not in their league.
August 1, 2023
Not quite sure what I expected having read other reviews! Once I understood how the characters spoke and interacted, I became totally immersed and thoroughly enjoyed the book, encouraged to read more about Scottish history.
June 14, 2022
Loved all the Scots words (& the glossary in the back). The stories show how events in 1588 were evaluated through a mix of religion, nascent science, witchcraft.
September 8, 2022
McKay has the talent to effectively draw a character in just a few strokes. Really brought the personages alive.
September 11, 2024
I really enjoyed this! I wish the five stories had tied together a little more but I still enjoyed the read!
December 15, 2016
This is a collection of short, previously published, stories, thematically linked together by the old seasons, or high days and holidays. As such, it's not quite as meaty with regards puzzles, mystery or crimes. We have some ghosts, a disappearing corpse, an innocent man accused, romance and a candle maker snuffed out. As usual Hew gets to the bottom of every mystery, and still has time to go about the usual festivities expected during the year.
Presented, as it is, as an Almanac, we get some historical notes to round out the stories, just in case you aren't entirely familiar with Candlemas, or Whitsunday these days . . .
I'm not entirely sure it's an experiment that works, especially in one, year end volume. Each story was released online for the corresponding season, and that probably worked slightly better.
Presented, as it is, as an Almanac, we get some historical notes to round out the stories, just in case you aren't entirely familiar with Candlemas, or Whitsunday these days . . .
I'm not entirely sure it's an experiment that works, especially in one, year end volume. Each story was released online for the corresponding season, and that probably worked slightly better.
June 16, 2019
An outstanding addition to the Hew Cullen series and maintains the high standard. As ever, the settings and characterisations make the novel, along with the writers ability to put across a sense of time and place. Recommend to fans of CJ sansom - I think these novels deserve to be right up there with his. Hope there are more to follow!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews