Border Brothers

by Margaret Cook

Fergus MacBeath has inherited from his Highland family rare skills as a healer and perhaps other esoteric knowledge. He is rescued from near-fatal injury at Soltre Abbey Hospital, and in time becomes the chief physician there, the medicus. With seeming supernatural abilities, he is regarded among the
country people as a saint.

He is a maverick however and defies Church orthodoxy relating sickness to sin, using Soltre's wealth, bequeathed over centuries, for the welfare of the Borders people. The lands and possessions are coveted by Church and State, who plot to seize them, but Soltre seems to be immune from their intrigues.

Until - Fergus falls disastrously in love. Suddenly the defences of the sanctuary are breached as royal greed and divine paranoia conspire, unleashing savage and unholy violence. Who will survive the wreckage?

332 pages, ebook

Published March 6, 2017

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Border Brothers as part of a Goodreads giveaway.

In the 15th century, an injured young squire arrives at Soltre, a Scottish monastery with a particular gift for healing and beloved by the sparse surrounding community. Upon his recovery, the young man, Fergus, soon reveals himself as a baseborn son of a revered line of doctors, and his gifts are apparent. The brothers take him under their wing, and he soon decides to stay at the monastery and pursue a career as a physician, much to the anger of his violent and unstable sworn lord.

Years pass, and Fergus becomes a revered part of the Soltre community. But forces past and present are conspiring to imperil both him and the monastery that

I really enjoyed the historical aspects of this book. I'm an amateur fan of medieval history, and wasn't aware of Soltre, so learning more about it (or at least, a fictional interpretation of it) was really interesting, and I wish the book had focused more on the politics and dangers that such an establishment faced, particularly with its liberal policies towards illness. I thought ultimately casting it as a romance was a mistake, because I simply didn't think there was enough time to develop that relationship, and it thrown in at the end to fill a perceived niche rather than a well-considered storyline. Very cool historical content, though.

[Terry Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Cook expertly captured the essence of 15th century monastic and secular life. Border Brothers drew me in from page 1, transported me to a bygone age and kept me spellbound. I admit to staying up in the wee sma' hours to finish reading. This book is well researched and skillfully written. A real find.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. It had some good moments to it but otherwise it just kind of fell flat to me.

[Teresa Christensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.

[Hans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, and found the historical context interesting. Thanks for a good book that was different and enjoyable.