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The Storm #1
The Storm
When Scottish village is struck by grief those left behind must help one another find hope.
It is 1881, and when a violent storm devastates the Scottish fishing village of Eyemouth few families escape unscathed. Newly wed Rosabelle Maltman loses her husband, and her mother-in-law Effie lost her husband and three sons. For these women and their neighbours in the close-knit community life will never be the same again. Yet as the months pass, the women of Eyemouth must learn to look to the future, to live and to love again.
It is 1881, and when a violent storm devastates the Scottish fishing village of Eyemouth few families escape unscathed. Newly wed Rosabelle Maltman loses her husband, and her mother-in-law Effie lost her husband and three sons. For these women and their neighbours in the close-knit community life will never be the same again. Yet as the months pass, the women of Eyemouth must learn to look to the future, to live and to love again.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2006
96 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Elisabeth McNeill
30 books13 followersA pseudonym of Liz Taylor.
Elisabeth McNeill is a long-established freelance journalist and broadcaster who has written five non-fiction books and thirteen novels. She now lives with a miniature dachshund, who thinks he is a Great Dane, in the oldest inhabited village on the Scottish borders, where she spent most of her shcooldays.
Elisabeth McNeill is a long-established freelance journalist and broadcaster who has written five non-fiction books and thirteen novels. She now lives with a miniature dachshund, who thinks he is a Great Dane, in the oldest inhabited village on the Scottish borders, where she spent most of her shcooldays.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 11, 2021
I listened to this as an audiobook and I loved Angela Ness as the narrator. She was great and added a lot to the story. I highly recommend listening to this.
The story pulled me right in. This storm turned this fishing community upside down. Wonderfully written, I watched all these women grieve, struggle and survive. Nothings going to stop this town from starting over. This is book 1 of a series and can be read as a stand-alone. No cliffhangers. I excited to read book 2 and see what happens in London.
Thanks Saga Egmont Audio via Netgalley.
The story pulled me right in. This storm turned this fishing community upside down. Wonderfully written, I watched all these women grieve, struggle and survive. Nothings going to stop this town from starting over. This is book 1 of a series and can be read as a stand-alone. No cliffhangers. I excited to read book 2 and see what happens in London.
Thanks Saga Egmont Audio via Netgalley.
June 28, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! The fishing community she takes us into is researched and described so well that you feel part of it when reading. The superstitions, the customs, the camaraderie. The storm at the beginning of the book is brutal and devastating to the whole village, especially the wives left, but added to this is a struggle to get any monetary relief due to the inflated ego of the man left in charge of the charitable fund. What follows for the rest of the book is the story of how the women survive and pull themselves together without having to rely on meagre handouts. Quite feminist and inspiring.
April 5, 2023
1881
Eyemouth, Scotland
This story was based on an actual event. An unseen storm caught nearly an entire fishing village fleet offguard, killing 129 fisherman that day.
All the women expecting their men to come back, saw the storm, and knew the tremendous tragedy that would befall their village that day.
News circulated throughout Scotland and England and great was the generosity of relief funds for the mothers and wives of the men who died in this horrific event. Over £50,000 eventually made its way to Eyemouth (somewhere in the neighborhood of over £4,550,000 by today's standards).
Unfortunately, an unscrupulous man was sent to distribute the money with the assistance of a panel of other citizens that were easily duped. (This part was fiction, not a part of the online historical events).
The story was about the strength of the women in the face of this sort of adversity.
Sadly, I couldn’t give the story a higher rating because of the sexual situations and language used. It may have been true to life at that time in these small villages in Scotland, but I felt as though it was far too coarse.
Plus the last few sentences?? One of the most bizarre endings I’ve ever read! I kept playing it to make sure that was really all there was. Horrible!
I can’t recommend this book to anyone, and I haven’t a clue how I even attained this audiobook.
I would say, just read accounts of the terrible event online such as this:
https://www.geni.com/projects/Eyemout...
Eyemouth, Scotland
This story was based on an actual event. An unseen storm caught nearly an entire fishing village fleet offguard, killing 129 fisherman that day.
All the women expecting their men to come back, saw the storm, and knew the tremendous tragedy that would befall their village that day.
News circulated throughout Scotland and England and great was the generosity of relief funds for the mothers and wives of the men who died in this horrific event. Over £50,000 eventually made its way to Eyemouth (somewhere in the neighborhood of over £4,550,000 by today's standards).
Unfortunately, an unscrupulous man was sent to distribute the money with the assistance of a panel of other citizens that were easily duped. (This part was fiction, not a part of the online historical events).
The story was about the strength of the women in the face of this sort of adversity.
Sadly, I couldn’t give the story a higher rating because of the sexual situations and language used. It may have been true to life at that time in these small villages in Scotland, but I felt as though it was far too coarse.
Plus the last few sentences?? One of the most bizarre endings I’ve ever read! I kept playing it to make sure that was really all there was. Horrible!
I can’t recommend this book to anyone, and I haven’t a clue how I even attained this audiobook.
I would say, just read accounts of the terrible event online such as this:
https://www.geni.com/projects/Eyemout...
July 17, 2024
I bought this book accidentally. I was translating several articles about storms, and when I found this book on the shelves of a bookstore, I immediately bought it. I wanted to know more about the lives of people who live near a sea or an ocean and whose lives may be endangered by storms. When I found out that the book was based on true events, I was more eager to start reading it.
So, the story takes place in a small Scottish village, Eyemouth, where people earn money by fishing. That is why, after many years of going out to sea, they developed many superstitions, and all the dwellers seemed to believe in them. One day, a devastating storm occurred while many men were in the sea. The storm took more than one hundred lives, leaving widows and orphans to suffer for their losses. All these women and children ought to learn how to leave again, and this is where the story begins.
The beginning of the story is heartbreaking. Elisabeth McNeil knows how to create characters and make them real, so it doesn't take a lot of time to start feeling sympathy for them. The plot is also well-organized. The characters speak a Scottish variant of English, and it was interesting from a linguistic point of view. I was a bit disappointed when I discovered that the story continues in the second book, as now, after finishing The Storm, I have a feeling of incompleteness.
So, the story takes place in a small Scottish village, Eyemouth, where people earn money by fishing. That is why, after many years of going out to sea, they developed many superstitions, and all the dwellers seemed to believe in them. One day, a devastating storm occurred while many men were in the sea. The storm took more than one hundred lives, leaving widows and orphans to suffer for their losses. All these women and children ought to learn how to leave again, and this is where the story begins.
The beginning of the story is heartbreaking. Elisabeth McNeil knows how to create characters and make them real, so it doesn't take a lot of time to start feeling sympathy for them. The plot is also well-organized. The characters speak a Scottish variant of English, and it was interesting from a linguistic point of view. I was a bit disappointed when I discovered that the story continues in the second book, as now, after finishing The Storm, I have a feeling of incompleteness.
June 27, 2021
I selected this book by accident and I am so glad that I did. It is not what I would normally have chosen and didn't think I would listen to it all but after the first chapter I was hooked (no pun intended).
The book is set in Eyemouth, Scotland where a fishing disaster occurred and is mainly a story of the women left behind and those who are supposed to be helping them back on their feet. The scene setting was good and I could picture the village and imagine the sounds of the ever present sea. The characters are well described and one in particular made me very angry. I really liked Effie and Jessie as they are strong no nonsense women who take what life throws at them and make the best of it. Rosabelle gained my sympathy but she was weak in comparison to and I felt she needed to step up more for her child. I hope she is more dynamic in the next book.
It is a believable tale and an enjoyable listen. I am looking forward to book.
Thank you to Saga Egmont Audio via Netgalley
The book is set in Eyemouth, Scotland where a fishing disaster occurred and is mainly a story of the women left behind and those who are supposed to be helping them back on their feet. The scene setting was good and I could picture the village and imagine the sounds of the ever present sea. The characters are well described and one in particular made me very angry. I really liked Effie and Jessie as they are strong no nonsense women who take what life throws at them and make the best of it. Rosabelle gained my sympathy but she was weak in comparison to and I felt she needed to step up more for her child. I hope she is more dynamic in the next book.
It is a believable tale and an enjoyable listen. I am looking forward to book.
Thank you to Saga Egmont Audio via Netgalley
July 18, 2021
4.5 stars rounded down.
I really enjoyed this novel. It is based on true events. The author brought those events to life through her characters. I cared about them to the point that I felt their pain, frustration and anger. I found myself rooting for the demise of the villain, who was absolutely believable. I wonder if he was based on a real person. In any case, any author who can evoke that type of reaction from readers has created a very good, engrossing story.
The only reason I knocked this down from potentially a 5-star rating was the ending. The author kind of ended the story, but not really. It is obviously left somewhat open ended for the next book in the series. I felt dissatisfied with the ending. However, I will read the next installment. I do want to find out what happens to these characters.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this novel. It is based on true events. The author brought those events to life through her characters. I cared about them to the point that I felt their pain, frustration and anger. I found myself rooting for the demise of the villain, who was absolutely believable. I wonder if he was based on a real person. In any case, any author who can evoke that type of reaction from readers has created a very good, engrossing story.
The only reason I knocked this down from potentially a 5-star rating was the ending. The author kind of ended the story, but not really. It is obviously left somewhat open ended for the next book in the series. I felt dissatisfied with the ending. However, I will read the next installment. I do want to find out what happens to these characters.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audio book. The narrator, Angela Ness did a great job of bringing the characters to life. The story is set in Eyemouth, a small fishing village on the east coast of Scotland, where the villagers are a proud, hard working community. They have to rally when a sudden storm dramatically changes things.
The author gives a good insight into the fragile nature of the fishing communities. I hope there will be a follow up book. Thank you to Elisabeth McNeill, Net Galley and saga Egmont Audio for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The author gives a good insight into the fragile nature of the fishing communities. I hope there will be a follow up book. Thank you to Elisabeth McNeill, Net Galley and saga Egmont Audio for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2021
This was my first audio book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were well rounded and the description of the town and way of life excellent. The narration was very good. I was however a little disappointed with the end and I’m hoping that there is a sequel.
August 15, 2022
The storm took away their real life
One never knows what nature can do but in this case it destroyed life and livelihoods of a whole generation of men. This loss became tragic for those that remained
One never knows what nature can do but in this case it destroyed life and livelihoods of a whole generation of men. This loss became tragic for those that remained
December 31, 2022
Good story. I wish there was more granularity in the ratings. This is a straight 4, but there is no way to distinguish between this rating and a 4.5 or 4.7. It held my interest, but did not blow me away.
February 6, 2025
Superb imaginative narrative based on a real life once in a lifetime hurricane that devastated a small fishing village in 19th century Scotland. Brilliant storyline, fascinating characters and a sequel!
April 25, 2022
Very good, kept my interest. A novelization of the Eyemouth disaster in 1881 when a hurricane swept away over 150 fisherman in a violent storm. Fun characters, well written - a nice diversion.
Read
October 29, 2022Parts of this story is based on actual facts, the story was written around them, and written very well, a very good read.
January 10, 2023
Well done. Was slow at first, but eventually got into the story.
October 16, 2022
Excellent book such a sad story but just shows how strong the people of Eyemouth were back than.
February 17, 2020
could not put it down great book
April 11, 2025
This is the kind of book i would never choose to read on my own. It's the type that builds up slowly and does its best to deliver exterme emotions to the reader constantly but comes off softer due to the disrupted median. Since it is based around a tragedy, one that took away so many lives and left even more behind mourning, and the average mood being sadness and overcoming the doom, I never really felt bad about the individual tragic incidents that followed.
It showed how many ways one could cope with a true loss and how some become stronger in the face of hardship while others slowly melt away. My person of interest was
All in all, it was the story of a little coastal town which reminded me of
1. Inflation (how 10 USD were a luxury and a gift)
2. Some people do deserve to be hit in the face with a spear
and 3. Its better to be safe than sorry (even if being safe meant to be shunned because the only other option could be being 6 feet under)
It showed how many ways one could cope with a true loss and how some become stronger in the face of hardship while others slowly melt away. My person of interest was
All in all, it was the story of a little coastal town which reminded me of
1. Inflation (how 10 USD were a luxury and a gift)
2. Some people do deserve to be hit in the face with a spear
and 3. Its better to be safe than sorry (even if being safe meant to be shunned because the only other option could be being 6 feet under)
April 7, 2014
I finished this a couple of weeks ago. It's a pretty quick read. The first few chapters rip your heart out, but the story that follows is fun, about the strength of a woman; the women are not your typical "moral" women. The fact that it's based on a true story makes it even more heart-wrenching, even if only the number of deaths is the the only loosely based fact. I haven't looked up the real storm, but we all know that all too often lives are lost in numbers that are unfathomable.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews