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Rebecca Connolly #1
Die Toten von Thunder Bay
Als die junge Journalistin Rebecca Connolly von Roddie Drummonds Rückkehr auf die Insel Stoirm erfährt, wittert sie eine Geschichte: Fünfzehn Jahre sind vergangen, seitdem Drummond wegen des Mordes an seiner Geliebten unter Anklage stand. Aufgrund mangelnder Beweise endete das Verfahren damals mit einem Freispruch. Roddie verließ die eingeschworene Inselgemeinschaft und verschwand. Nun kehrt er für die Beerdigung seiner Mutter zurück – und reißt damit alte Wunden wieder auf.
Rebecca schließt sich mit einem befreundeten Fotografen zusammen, um dem Geheimnis des ungeklärten Mordfalls auf den Grund zu gehen. Die mysteriösen letzten Worte der Verstorbenen führen sie nach Thunder Bay, ein abgelegener Ort an der Westküste der Insel, an dem sich den Überlieferungen nach die Seelen der Toten zur Überfahrt ins Jenseits versammeln. Doch ihre Nachforschungen bleiben nicht unbemerkt, und schon bald bringt sich Rebecca damit selbst in Gefahr …
Rebecca schließt sich mit einem befreundeten Fotografen zusammen, um dem Geheimnis des ungeklärten Mordfalls auf den Grund zu gehen. Die mysteriösen letzten Worte der Verstorbenen führen sie nach Thunder Bay, ein abgelegener Ort an der Westküste der Insel, an dem sich den Überlieferungen nach die Seelen der Toten zur Überfahrt ins Jenseits versammeln. Doch ihre Nachforschungen bleiben nicht unbemerkt, und schon bald bringt sich Rebecca damit selbst in Gefahr …
416 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2011
172 people are currently reading
574 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Skelton
41 books138 followersDouglas has been a shelf stacker, bank clerk, tax officer, factory worker, advertising salesperson, taxi driver (for two days), wine waiter (for two hours), journalist and criminal investigator. His early books were all in true crime or criminal history but now he writes fiction, beginning with the Davie McCall series. The final book in the series, OPEN WOUNDS, has been longlisted for the McIlvanney Prize 2016, alongside such authors as Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Lin Anderson, Doug Johnstone and James Oswald.
His next book is THE DEAD DON'T BOOGIE, which will kick off a new series.
His next book is THE DEAD DON'T BOOGIE, which will kick off a new series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
January 12, 2020
Douglas Skelton's dark and atmospheric Scottish crime novel is set on the island of Stoirm, off the west coast of Scotland, featuring Highland Chronicle reporter, Rebecca Connolly. When Rebecca is informed that Roddie Drummond is returning to Stoirm to attend his mother's funeral, she knows there is a story to be had. 15 years ago Roddie had gone on trial for the murder of his live-in girlfriend, Mhairi Sinclair, who died with the last words from her mouth being that of Thunder Bay. After a not proven verdict, Roddie left Stoirm and disappeared. Rebecca's editor refuses her pitch to cover the story, but a driven Rebecca ignores his order as she arrives for her first visit to the island. Besides, her deceased father had left the island, never to return and never to speak of it to his family in his lifetime, and she is desperate to know the family secrets that he has taken to his grave.
Roddie's return triggers feelings of resentment, bitterness, anger, and brutal violence, with many believing him guilty of murder. Stoirm has its own ways of dealing with things, blood and family is everything, loyalty is expected, no matter what happens, and the islanders believe in their own form of justice. Arriving with Rebecca is retired DS Bill Sawyer, rock solid in his certainty that Roddie is guilty of murder. The local laird, Lord Henry Stuart is planning to redevelop his estate for the exclusive use of the wealthy hunting, shooting, and golf crowd, but is facing some resistance from locals, such as that from ex-addict Donnie Kerr. Henry, Donnie and Roddie were a tight knit group of boys who ran around with the beautiful and bright Mhairi, all of them in love with her. With the help of young photographer, Chaz Wymark, Rebecca begins to become aware of the tensions and grudges that simmer beneath the surface of the small community, there is the jealous and abusive gamekeeper, the 'moron squad', a bunch of violent homophobic thugs, and she faces hostility from those determined to prevent the truth of the past emerging.
Skelton paints a rich picture of an insular community and life on a small island, with its inclement weather and the beauty spot of Thunder Bay, a place that legend depicts as the gateway to the West for the spirits of the dead. The turbulent weather conditions that arise match the turbulence and danger in the community that Roddie's arrival brings. Rebecca is uniquely placed to uncover the truth of the past and eventually learns why her father left Stoirm, an action that Rebecca replicates in her desire to never set foot on Stoirm again. This is a intensely compulsive piece of Scottish crime fiction that I really enjoyed reading and which I recommend. Many thanks to Skyhorse Publishing for an ARC.
Roddie's return triggers feelings of resentment, bitterness, anger, and brutal violence, with many believing him guilty of murder. Stoirm has its own ways of dealing with things, blood and family is everything, loyalty is expected, no matter what happens, and the islanders believe in their own form of justice. Arriving with Rebecca is retired DS Bill Sawyer, rock solid in his certainty that Roddie is guilty of murder. The local laird, Lord Henry Stuart is planning to redevelop his estate for the exclusive use of the wealthy hunting, shooting, and golf crowd, but is facing some resistance from locals, such as that from ex-addict Donnie Kerr. Henry, Donnie and Roddie were a tight knit group of boys who ran around with the beautiful and bright Mhairi, all of them in love with her. With the help of young photographer, Chaz Wymark, Rebecca begins to become aware of the tensions and grudges that simmer beneath the surface of the small community, there is the jealous and abusive gamekeeper, the 'moron squad', a bunch of violent homophobic thugs, and she faces hostility from those determined to prevent the truth of the past emerging.
Skelton paints a rich picture of an insular community and life on a small island, with its inclement weather and the beauty spot of Thunder Bay, a place that legend depicts as the gateway to the West for the spirits of the dead. The turbulent weather conditions that arise match the turbulence and danger in the community that Roddie's arrival brings. Rebecca is uniquely placed to uncover the truth of the past and eventually learns why her father left Stoirm, an action that Rebecca replicates in her desire to never set foot on Stoirm again. This is a intensely compulsive piece of Scottish crime fiction that I really enjoyed reading and which I recommend. Many thanks to Skyhorse Publishing for an ARC.
January 25, 2020
I warmed to Rebecca Connolly, the heroine of this story the minute she described a sports car as a “high performance dick extender”. Rebecca is a reporter for a weekly newspaper in Scotland. Skelton does a great job of making Rebecca seem real within a few chapters. I loved her thoughts on journalism.
When she gets the heads up on an exclusive story, the return of Roddie Drummond to the island of Stoirm after a fifteen year absence, she jumps on it even after her editor said no. Roddie had been accused of murdering his girlfriend but found Not Proven. No one knows where he’s been during those intervening years. Her father came from this island and has never spoken about his time there, so she’s got another motivation for going.
It’s a beautifully atmospheric novel. Stoirm is an insulated community, buffeted by wild weather. We’re given a real feel for it and for its inhabitants. “Secrets. Family. Blood. It was an island thing.”
This is a steady, even keeled novel. There are lots of subplots to keep things moving forward and lots of characters to keep track of. I couldn’t tell how this would all come together. The themes go beyond murder to include family secrets, domestic abuse and homophobia. The only part that didn’t work for me was the reason John Connolly left the island as a young man.
While the present day chapters are told from Rebecca’s POV, there are also chapters that take place in the past and are told from the POV of various islanders.
My thanks to netgalley and Skyhorse Publishing for an advance copy of this book.
When she gets the heads up on an exclusive story, the return of Roddie Drummond to the island of Stoirm after a fifteen year absence, she jumps on it even after her editor said no. Roddie had been accused of murdering his girlfriend but found Not Proven. No one knows where he’s been during those intervening years. Her father came from this island and has never spoken about his time there, so she’s got another motivation for going.
It’s a beautifully atmospheric novel. Stoirm is an insulated community, buffeted by wild weather. We’re given a real feel for it and for its inhabitants. “Secrets. Family. Blood. It was an island thing.”
This is a steady, even keeled novel. There are lots of subplots to keep things moving forward and lots of characters to keep track of. I couldn’t tell how this would all come together. The themes go beyond murder to include family secrets, domestic abuse and homophobia. The only part that didn’t work for me was the reason John Connolly left the island as a young man.
While the present day chapters are told from Rebecca’s POV, there are also chapters that take place in the past and are told from the POV of various islanders.
My thanks to netgalley and Skyhorse Publishing for an advance copy of this book.
October 6, 2019
I’m a big fan of Mr. Skelton’s Davie McCall series so when the chance came to read his new stand alone book, I lunged. Think I might have pulled something. Anyhoo….
Rebecca Connolly is a young reporter at a small weekly paper in Inverness. And she just got a tip on a story that may help her personally & professionally. Chaz Wymark is her contact on Stoirm, an island off the west coast of Scotland, and he has some news. A woman named Mary Drummond recently died & rumour has it her son Roddie will be attending the funeral. Hardly earth shattering unless you know the whole story.
Fifteen years ago, Roddie was tried for the brutal murder of his girlfriend Mhairi Sinclair. Although he was not convicted by the courts, many of the locals had no doubt he was guilty & when the trial ended he vanished. Now he’s coming home & Chaz believes his return will stir up hard feelings that have been simmering all these years. Boy, was he right.
Rebecca has another more personal reason for visiting Stoirm. Her father was born there but left when he was young. He never went back & died without ever speaking about his previous life. Maybe now she can find his past.
Grab your favourite beverage, find a comfy spot & settle in. There’s a great story ahead & I have to begin with the setting. It’s perfect. I couldn’t help but think of a volcano…..at first glance, it’s idyllic & beautiful to look at but you soon feel tremors that give you an inkling it could blow at any time. A small island community allows the author to weave complicated relationships, culture, isolation & weather into the story with great effect. Through his descriptions, you can see the stunning yet harsh landscape & feel the driving storms in your bones. The insular mindset means you may not love your neighbours but you have to live with them & will stand united against outsiders. As Rebecca soon discovers.
There’s a large cast & they share a massive amount of history. As Rebecca digs into Mhairi’s life, we meet her parents, Roddie’s family, an ex-cop with an agenda, those she grew up with & various locals. One of those is Henry Stuart, the local laird who is butting heads with some of the residents over his big plans to draw tourists to the island. It’s a battle he literally can’t afford to lose due to some of the “businessmen” he’s hooked up with.
Rebecca is the primary narrator but several historical chapters are told by those who were involved in events preceding Mhairi’s death. It’s then we learn the whole messy story & grasp the significance of some of the subplots in the present. These people hold secrets like it’s an Olympic event & as the chapters fly by, the hits just keep on coming.
The story has one weak spot (IMHO) that accounts for my rating. As much as I enjoyed watching the present day drama unfold, I also wanted to know what Rebecca would learn about her father. When the reason he left the island was revealed I had a hard time believing it could impact him that deeply. I don’t want to give anything away so it’s hard to explain but it just didn’t seem personal enough to make him alter the course of his life.
That said, I really enjoyed this. Skelton is a wonderful story teller & the well drawn cast & atmospheric prose pull you right into the thick of it. There are several characters I’d love to bump into again so if this is the start of a new series, sign me up for book #2 please.
Rebecca Connolly is a young reporter at a small weekly paper in Inverness. And she just got a tip on a story that may help her personally & professionally. Chaz Wymark is her contact on Stoirm, an island off the west coast of Scotland, and he has some news. A woman named Mary Drummond recently died & rumour has it her son Roddie will be attending the funeral. Hardly earth shattering unless you know the whole story.
Fifteen years ago, Roddie was tried for the brutal murder of his girlfriend Mhairi Sinclair. Although he was not convicted by the courts, many of the locals had no doubt he was guilty & when the trial ended he vanished. Now he’s coming home & Chaz believes his return will stir up hard feelings that have been simmering all these years. Boy, was he right.
Rebecca has another more personal reason for visiting Stoirm. Her father was born there but left when he was young. He never went back & died without ever speaking about his previous life. Maybe now she can find his past.
Grab your favourite beverage, find a comfy spot & settle in. There’s a great story ahead & I have to begin with the setting. It’s perfect. I couldn’t help but think of a volcano…..at first glance, it’s idyllic & beautiful to look at but you soon feel tremors that give you an inkling it could blow at any time. A small island community allows the author to weave complicated relationships, culture, isolation & weather into the story with great effect. Through his descriptions, you can see the stunning yet harsh landscape & feel the driving storms in your bones. The insular mindset means you may not love your neighbours but you have to live with them & will stand united against outsiders. As Rebecca soon discovers.
There’s a large cast & they share a massive amount of history. As Rebecca digs into Mhairi’s life, we meet her parents, Roddie’s family, an ex-cop with an agenda, those she grew up with & various locals. One of those is Henry Stuart, the local laird who is butting heads with some of the residents over his big plans to draw tourists to the island. It’s a battle he literally can’t afford to lose due to some of the “businessmen” he’s hooked up with.
Rebecca is the primary narrator but several historical chapters are told by those who were involved in events preceding Mhairi’s death. It’s then we learn the whole messy story & grasp the significance of some of the subplots in the present. These people hold secrets like it’s an Olympic event & as the chapters fly by, the hits just keep on coming.
The story has one weak spot (IMHO) that accounts for my rating. As much as I enjoyed watching the present day drama unfold, I also wanted to know what Rebecca would learn about her father. When the reason he left the island was revealed I had a hard time believing it could impact him that deeply. I don’t want to give anything away so it’s hard to explain but it just didn’t seem personal enough to make him alter the course of his life.
That said, I really enjoyed this. Skelton is a wonderful story teller & the well drawn cast & atmospheric prose pull you right into the thick of it. There are several characters I’d love to bump into again so if this is the start of a new series, sign me up for book #2 please.
May 24, 2024
When reporter Rebecca Connolly is told of Roddie Drummond’s return to the island of Stoirm she senses a story.
Fifteen years before he was charged with the murder of his lover, Mhairi.
This is a beautifully atmospheric mystery novel.
Stoirm is an insulated community, buffeted by wild weather. We’re given a real feel for it and for its inhabitants.
“Secrets. Family. Blood. It was an island thing.”
This is also a steady, slow moving novel.
There are lots of mini-plots to keep things moving forward and lots of characters to keep track of – not always my favorite thing – but it does have a reason for all of them to be part of the story, eventually.
I couldn’t tell how this would all come together – but patience (not always my strong suit with mysteries) eventually led me to know who was who and what relevance they were to the story.
There is even a bit of a mystery for our reporter, whose father was born on the island, but never returned and never talked about it with his wife or daughter during his life with them.
In many ways, this is an engaging mystery, sometimes reminiscent of a modern-day Agatha Christie where you are getting lots of clues, but he (the author) isn’t telling you everything, and you just have to sift through the information and wait it out until it is all revealed to you in the end.
Fifteen years before he was charged with the murder of his lover, Mhairi.
This is a beautifully atmospheric mystery novel.
Stoirm is an insulated community, buffeted by wild weather. We’re given a real feel for it and for its inhabitants.
“Secrets. Family. Blood. It was an island thing.”
This is also a steady, slow moving novel.
There are lots of mini-plots to keep things moving forward and lots of characters to keep track of – not always my favorite thing – but it does have a reason for all of them to be part of the story, eventually.
I couldn’t tell how this would all come together – but patience (not always my strong suit with mysteries) eventually led me to know who was who and what relevance they were to the story.
There is even a bit of a mystery for our reporter, whose father was born on the island, but never returned and never talked about it with his wife or daughter during his life with them.
In many ways, this is an engaging mystery, sometimes reminiscent of a modern-day Agatha Christie where you are getting lots of clues, but he (the author) isn’t telling you everything, and you just have to sift through the information and wait it out until it is all revealed to you in the end.
March 9, 2025
This eventful crime thriller, which has been my first pleasant encounter but certainly not the last, is the 1st volume of the "Rebecca Connolly" series.
At the beginning of the book you'll find a short phrase by John F. Kennedy, that's very appropriate in association with the main theme in this crime story.
The author's storytelling is excellent, all characters come vividly to life in this tale about life on an island, like in this instance Stoirm Island on the west coast of Scotland, and its deep secrets, family feuds and death, and this distrusting and hostile atmosphere comes splendidly off the pages.
It all starts off with our main protagonist, the down-to-earth reporter Rebecca Connolly of the weekly "Highland Chronicle" from Inverness, hears about the return of Roddie Drummond to Stoirm to attend his mother's funeral, fifteen years after the murder of his lover, Mhairi, a murder Roddie was arrested, but in his trial he was acquitted with a Not Proven verdict, but many remain convinced that he did it anyway.
Many people on the Island of Stoirm still feel an enormous hatred and bitterness towards Roddie Drummond and his family, and that hate will eventually explode into violence, shame and death when eventually the real circumstances and reasons for Mhairi's murder fifteen years ago will come to the surface, with Thunder Bay as the main place of evil, while Rebecca Connolly also has a personal quest to deal with concerning her late father, John Connolly.
What is to follow is an enthralling crime thriller, with a great build-up towards a plot with an explosive end, that will ultimately reveal the real culprit and the truth behind Mhairi's murder.
Highly recommended, for this is a very engaging start of this, for me, new series, and that's why I like to call this first episode: "A Compelling Explosive Secret"!
At the beginning of the book you'll find a short phrase by John F. Kennedy, that's very appropriate in association with the main theme in this crime story.
The author's storytelling is excellent, all characters come vividly to life in this tale about life on an island, like in this instance Stoirm Island on the west coast of Scotland, and its deep secrets, family feuds and death, and this distrusting and hostile atmosphere comes splendidly off the pages.
It all starts off with our main protagonist, the down-to-earth reporter Rebecca Connolly of the weekly "Highland Chronicle" from Inverness, hears about the return of Roddie Drummond to Stoirm to attend his mother's funeral, fifteen years after the murder of his lover, Mhairi, a murder Roddie was arrested, but in his trial he was acquitted with a Not Proven verdict, but many remain convinced that he did it anyway.
Many people on the Island of Stoirm still feel an enormous hatred and bitterness towards Roddie Drummond and his family, and that hate will eventually explode into violence, shame and death when eventually the real circumstances and reasons for Mhairi's murder fifteen years ago will come to the surface, with Thunder Bay as the main place of evil, while Rebecca Connolly also has a personal quest to deal with concerning her late father, John Connolly.
What is to follow is an enthralling crime thriller, with a great build-up towards a plot with an explosive end, that will ultimately reveal the real culprit and the truth behind Mhairi's murder.
Highly recommended, for this is a very engaging start of this, for me, new series, and that's why I like to call this first episode: "A Compelling Explosive Secret"!
September 12, 2023
I’m- I- I don’t even know if I should give this book 3.5 or 4 stars but this was just- okay, I don’t know how to feel about the ending, a little (too much) unsatisfied with it but- okay, alright- I-
I have no words. I don’t even know how to write a review like how I’m used to.
All I gotta say is might as well give this book a chance. It’s like predictable but at the same time it’s not?!?!?! I’m in shock.
I have no words. I don’t even know how to write a review like how I’m used to.
All I gotta say is might as well give this book a chance. It’s like predictable but at the same time it’s not?!?!?! I’m in shock.
July 14, 2023
The first in the Rebecca Connelly series. A near perfect slice of Scottish Crime writing. Evocative descriptions capture the landscape and life of a remote Scottish island and the intriguing plot keeps you guessing until the end. Extremely well written and with characters that gain your sympathy and revulsion in equal measure. A series to stick with for sure.
December 6, 2019
Rebecca is a reporter for a small weekly newspaper in the Scottish highlands. Her friend tells her there's a developing story in a small island off the Scottish coast and against her boss's wishes, she goes to investigate. The island has many secrets, and Rebecca stirs up trouble among residents who would prefer to forget some of the things in the past. The author evokes the dark and sinister atmosphere of the island, and the suspicious insularity of its denizens. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
September 15, 2020
This was okay and I probably won't read another Rebecca Connolly book but might try some other mystery by this author. I just felt this story had everything including the kitchen sink thrown in and much of it added nothing to the central mystery or to the story in general. A homophobic storyline -check -but why? It didn't drive the story in any way and nor did it impact the mystery. Why not just let Chaz and Alan leave the island to pursue their lives? Rebecca's back story - boring - and her family mystery -what a let down. Something that happened over 100 years ago from family she didn't even know she had - I just couldn't believe she would feel any guilt - and of course her personal back story just happens to resonate with "great family secret". Shona was another character that I didn't like. She wasn't at all likeable anyway and her blaming the reporter for what's going on is a stretch that didn't work for me. In the end the only one who found out the truth was the father of the murdered girl - and even after knowing that, it didn't stop him from murder. As a reader -anytime Russians, Ukranians, Balkans are introduced - they are always the bad guys... and finally- there are 26 letters in the alphabet. This book had 4 women whose names all began with an 'S' and could they be any more similar; Sonya, Shona, Sandra, Sylvia. Come on - use all the letters available - it's free. Boy I am crabby today.
January 15, 2021
Cannot finish this one, too touchy-feely, too sentimental, and too journalistic for me, not enough plotline, not enough detective work, the characters described in a weary, tiresome way stripping them of sympathy and leaving me with the impression of a depressed bordering on cynical former journalist now turned author, who uses his experience from a journalistic career to try to make himself a career as a crime writer. Harsh words, I know, but I am sorely disappointed, had hoped for something cosy taking place on a windswept Scottish island with lots of heartwarming folklore and not a story about a sensation hungry journalist who laments the way of quality journalism.
March 3, 2019
Shocking confession given the number of times I have ventured north of the border to various crime festivals and the number of times I have listened to Douglas Skelton on various panel events, but I have never read one of his books before. I know, I know. But when I was offered the opportunity to read a copy of this book courtesy of the lovely folks at Polygon I jumped at it. It sounded like exactly my kind of book. And I was right. It totally was.
Now I can't compare this to any of the author's other works but what i can say is that from the very first page of this book I was struck by the narrative style, the intense imagery that the words conjured up as I read onward. It is a strong and somewhat stark opening, placing the reader right at the heart of Thunder Bay, in a situation so dark, so wild, that it could easily take your breath away. And as I drew closer to the end of the prologue - as the full extent of what I was reading became finally clear - I knew that I was one hundred percent hooked by a book which I knew was going to get under my skin.
Put very simply, this book is the story of a journalist, Rebecca, who gets a strong whiff of a story when the death of a woman on the island of Stoirm draws her sone home for her funeral. A son who has been absent for fifteen years having been accused but not convicted of the murder of his partner, Mhairi. Now Rebecca has her own reasons for wanting to look into the story, only part of which is the cold case murder of Mhairi. Her own father had ties to the island, ones that he would never speak of, and it is her own family history she is as keen to learn about as that of Roddie Drummond and the ill-fated Mhairi.
The characters in this book are perfectly drawn. You can feel the sadness in Rebecca, whose own story is slowly explored throughout the book. We know she is running from something but not yet what and as the explanation becomes clear, her own sense of separation becomes clear. Roddie Drummond is a man haunted by the past, but just how guilty is he? He is a complex character that we don't get to know all that well to begin with but is there enough of sense a darkness about him to suggest that he may well have been a killer after all? Then there are Donnie Kerr and Henry Stuart, once friends of Roddie and Mhairi, both of whom are nursing their own secrets. In fact there are few redeeming characters on Stoirm, every person that Rebecca meets somehow tainted by the dark history of the island. The only possible exceptions are Chaz, Rebecca's colleague and a freelance photographer, and Alan who add a touch of lightness to an otherwise murky cast of characters.
Douglas Skelton uses imagery to brilliant effect throughout the novel, creating an atmosphere that feels oppressive, dark and menacing. Everything about the island of Stoirm, from the suspicious nature of the residents towards outsiders, particularly Rebecca, to isolation of the eponymous Thunder Bay, is set up to put the reader on edge. You know that the island holds many secrets but you do not know what, and won't do for some time as they are all held very close to the chests of the major players in this story and slowly revealed as the story builds to a somewhat dramatic and shocking close.
There are some very dark themes discussed within the book, including domestic abuse, but all are done in as sympathetic a way as possible, avoiding the gratuitous whilst retaining a sense of authenticity. The author has created an idea of small island life which may be heightened somewhat, but the whole feeling of the insular and protective nature of the residents rang true, and the sense of retribution and revenge for wrong doing being handled the 'island way' felt perfectly fitting. When we arrive on the island with Rebecca, you know that the whole community is on the precipice, that there are going to be dramatic changes, and not just by way of a planned development which will change the whole tourist culture of Stoirm. But you also know that Rebecca will not leave the island without finding out the truth, if she is ever able to leave at all.
Dark, brooding, atmospheric and full of mystery, this is a book I would highly recommend you read. I loved it.
Now I can't compare this to any of the author's other works but what i can say is that from the very first page of this book I was struck by the narrative style, the intense imagery that the words conjured up as I read onward. It is a strong and somewhat stark opening, placing the reader right at the heart of Thunder Bay, in a situation so dark, so wild, that it could easily take your breath away. And as I drew closer to the end of the prologue - as the full extent of what I was reading became finally clear - I knew that I was one hundred percent hooked by a book which I knew was going to get under my skin.
Put very simply, this book is the story of a journalist, Rebecca, who gets a strong whiff of a story when the death of a woman on the island of Stoirm draws her sone home for her funeral. A son who has been absent for fifteen years having been accused but not convicted of the murder of his partner, Mhairi. Now Rebecca has her own reasons for wanting to look into the story, only part of which is the cold case murder of Mhairi. Her own father had ties to the island, ones that he would never speak of, and it is her own family history she is as keen to learn about as that of Roddie Drummond and the ill-fated Mhairi.
The characters in this book are perfectly drawn. You can feel the sadness in Rebecca, whose own story is slowly explored throughout the book. We know she is running from something but not yet what and as the explanation becomes clear, her own sense of separation becomes clear. Roddie Drummond is a man haunted by the past, but just how guilty is he? He is a complex character that we don't get to know all that well to begin with but is there enough of sense a darkness about him to suggest that he may well have been a killer after all? Then there are Donnie Kerr and Henry Stuart, once friends of Roddie and Mhairi, both of whom are nursing their own secrets. In fact there are few redeeming characters on Stoirm, every person that Rebecca meets somehow tainted by the dark history of the island. The only possible exceptions are Chaz, Rebecca's colleague and a freelance photographer, and Alan who add a touch of lightness to an otherwise murky cast of characters.
Douglas Skelton uses imagery to brilliant effect throughout the novel, creating an atmosphere that feels oppressive, dark and menacing. Everything about the island of Stoirm, from the suspicious nature of the residents towards outsiders, particularly Rebecca, to isolation of the eponymous Thunder Bay, is set up to put the reader on edge. You know that the island holds many secrets but you do not know what, and won't do for some time as they are all held very close to the chests of the major players in this story and slowly revealed as the story builds to a somewhat dramatic and shocking close.
There are some very dark themes discussed within the book, including domestic abuse, but all are done in as sympathetic a way as possible, avoiding the gratuitous whilst retaining a sense of authenticity. The author has created an idea of small island life which may be heightened somewhat, but the whole feeling of the insular and protective nature of the residents rang true, and the sense of retribution and revenge for wrong doing being handled the 'island way' felt perfectly fitting. When we arrive on the island with Rebecca, you know that the whole community is on the precipice, that there are going to be dramatic changes, and not just by way of a planned development which will change the whole tourist culture of Stoirm. But you also know that Rebecca will not leave the island without finding out the truth, if she is ever able to leave at all.
Dark, brooding, atmospheric and full of mystery, this is a book I would highly recommend you read. I loved it.
February 10, 2021
*I received a free digital ARC via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Darkness on the Sound
This story is based on a fictional Scottish Island, Stoirm, based in one of the Scottish Sounds. Now there are a couple of straits in Scotland with the name “Sound” as far as I can figure out: either “Inner Sound”, close to Skye, or “Sound of Islay”, between the islands of Islay and Jura. I’m not sure which is meant, but there are a couple of islands in either area which could give you that “small island community” feel. Not that I’ve ever been to Scotland, let alone a remote island with one main town where everyone knows each other.
So I took my ideas of what such a small community would feel like based on my very limited experiences of a small village community where, yes, everyone knows each other, and not always in a friendly way.
This small community on Stoirm has its secrets, which no one repeats, and must stay in the past. But that is all about to be stirred up with the return of Roddie Drummond, who was “not proven” of murdering his girlfriend, Mhairi, 15 years previously, and Rebecca Connolly, who not only wants to dig into the past to find out the truth of what happened to Mhairi, but also wants to discover why her father left the island in his youth, and why he never talked about it.
There’s a lot of twists and turns into finding the truth, which not only the islanders, but some dangerous men (such a typical cliché, them being Eastern Europeans) want to keep well hidden.
The trouble is, the truth. Well, the truth is not exciting at all. And the truth of why Rebecca’s father left, it didn’t give the impact expected, either. The most action to be had was in what appeared to be a homophobic attack on two of Rebecca’s new-found friends. That aside, Rebecca defying everyone to get the story she’s looking for, which is just as much her boss as the islanders themselves, is just as cliché as some of the rest.
The best part about this book, apart from the cover (the main reason I picked up the book in the first place), was probably the place descriptions. Thunder Bay was described beautifully, as a place that must be visited, and the scenery on the routes was just as detailed.
It's a shame, really, as there was so much that could have been good and even better about this. In the end, I’m a little disappointed, with the grip not quite catching me completely.
Final rating: ★★★☆☆ – Sort of liked/OK
March 6, 2019
In Thunder Bay, the prose is what lifts this stunning thriller from the norm to an exceptionally well told story, where the characterisation is razor sharp, the setting is pitch perfect and the plotting beautifully structured.
Thunder Bay isset on the small fictional Scottish Island of Stoirm, not a big island, but onewith enough isolated pockets to ensure that not everyone will always knoweveryone else’s business.
Thunder Bay is one of those pockets. Not many people gothere. Island lore has it that this is where the souls of the dead come to betaken across the water into the west, to the afterlife. It is a place of secrets and its name is thelast thing that Mhairi Sinclair spoke before she died.
Roddie Drummond was her lover and in the subsequent trialwhere he was charged with murder, the jury returned a verdict of not proven.Roddie left the island and was not seen again, until now. He has come back forhis mother’s funeral, and the island is buzzing with the news of his return.
Rebecca Connolly works for the Chronicle, the local paper.Her father was born on Stoirm but left many years ago and has never been back.Rebecca knows that this is a huge story, but she’s having real trouble gettingher editor to understand that this is one that can’t be done as a phoner. Everyweek it’s getting harder for Rebecca to feel like she’s doing the job of a realjournalist as the paper’s resources are squeezed.
Tipped off by Chaz, a young local freelance photographer on Stoirm, she can feel the pull of the story and, if she’s honest, she’s always hoped that there would be an opportunity for her to visit the place where her father was born and brought up.
Sonya is Mhairi’s daughter. She wants to know why her mother’s murder is officially listed as unsolved when every islander tells her that Roddie Drummond did it. She just wants to look him in the eye so that she knows, once and for all if he is guilty. She’ll know just by looking, she is sure.
When Rebecca gets there, she finds that not everyone is welcoming and that Roddie Drummond is not the only one keeping secrets. For Stoirm is an island full of secrets, and some secrets just don’t want to be told.
There’s more than one story on Stoirm. Lord Henry Stuart hasenlisted some serious help to ensure that he can push his ambitious plans fordeveloping his estate, including building a distillery and upgrading his houseto cater for exclusive hunting parties. The locals are not wholly convinced andthe public meeting held to discuss the plans is not the sure thing Lord Henrywas hoping for.
For Rebecca, this is a chance to finally understand her roots and to pull off a coup that could get national attention. For the islanders, these are secrets that should be left undisturbed, before more harm befalls those who disturb the uneasy peace.
Douglas Skelton has written an atmospheric and gripping book, with rounded and fully rooted characters that make the pages sing. This is prose that flows clear as a highland spring, fresh, natural and dynamic.
All his characters are very well drawn, but special note should be made of the central protagonist Rebecca. Skelton has captured her spirit and character very well and she is both believable and noteworthy. I’d happily read another novel with her as the central character.
Stoirm, though, is the really class character in this book. The sense of place is palpable. The locations are so vividly and visually described that you can see them and feel the atmosphere around you. This is a place where past and present sit together, perhaps uneasily, but in a silent accord that no-one should attempt to sunder.
The past will demand its dues if Stoirm is to prevail and in pulling together all the strands of this finely woven cloth, Skelton has produced an evocative, beautiful and tense tapestry of a read that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.
Verdict: Tense, atmospheric, beautifully written. A cracker of a crime novel I just loved.
Thunder Bay isset on the small fictional Scottish Island of Stoirm, not a big island, but onewith enough isolated pockets to ensure that not everyone will always knoweveryone else’s business.
Thunder Bay is one of those pockets. Not many people gothere. Island lore has it that this is where the souls of the dead come to betaken across the water into the west, to the afterlife. It is a place of secrets and its name is thelast thing that Mhairi Sinclair spoke before she died.
Roddie Drummond was her lover and in the subsequent trialwhere he was charged with murder, the jury returned a verdict of not proven.Roddie left the island and was not seen again, until now. He has come back forhis mother’s funeral, and the island is buzzing with the news of his return.
Rebecca Connolly works for the Chronicle, the local paper.Her father was born on Stoirm but left many years ago and has never been back.Rebecca knows that this is a huge story, but she’s having real trouble gettingher editor to understand that this is one that can’t be done as a phoner. Everyweek it’s getting harder for Rebecca to feel like she’s doing the job of a realjournalist as the paper’s resources are squeezed.
Tipped off by Chaz, a young local freelance photographer on Stoirm, she can feel the pull of the story and, if she’s honest, she’s always hoped that there would be an opportunity for her to visit the place where her father was born and brought up.
Sonya is Mhairi’s daughter. She wants to know why her mother’s murder is officially listed as unsolved when every islander tells her that Roddie Drummond did it. She just wants to look him in the eye so that she knows, once and for all if he is guilty. She’ll know just by looking, she is sure.
When Rebecca gets there, she finds that not everyone is welcoming and that Roddie Drummond is not the only one keeping secrets. For Stoirm is an island full of secrets, and some secrets just don’t want to be told.
There’s more than one story on Stoirm. Lord Henry Stuart hasenlisted some serious help to ensure that he can push his ambitious plans fordeveloping his estate, including building a distillery and upgrading his houseto cater for exclusive hunting parties. The locals are not wholly convinced andthe public meeting held to discuss the plans is not the sure thing Lord Henrywas hoping for.
For Rebecca, this is a chance to finally understand her roots and to pull off a coup that could get national attention. For the islanders, these are secrets that should be left undisturbed, before more harm befalls those who disturb the uneasy peace.
Douglas Skelton has written an atmospheric and gripping book, with rounded and fully rooted characters that make the pages sing. This is prose that flows clear as a highland spring, fresh, natural and dynamic.
All his characters are very well drawn, but special note should be made of the central protagonist Rebecca. Skelton has captured her spirit and character very well and she is both believable and noteworthy. I’d happily read another novel with her as the central character.
Stoirm, though, is the really class character in this book. The sense of place is palpable. The locations are so vividly and visually described that you can see them and feel the atmosphere around you. This is a place where past and present sit together, perhaps uneasily, but in a silent accord that no-one should attempt to sunder.
The past will demand its dues if Stoirm is to prevail and in pulling together all the strands of this finely woven cloth, Skelton has produced an evocative, beautiful and tense tapestry of a read that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.
Verdict: Tense, atmospheric, beautifully written. A cracker of a crime novel I just loved.
March 3, 2019
Time taken to read - 1.5 days
Pages - 320
Publisher - Polygon
Source - Review Copy
Blurb from Goodreads
When reporter Rebecca Connolly is told of Roddie Drummond’s return to the island of Stoirm she senses a story. Fifteen years before he was charged with the murder of his lover, Mhairi. When he was found Not Proven, Roddie left the island and no one, apart from his sister, knew where he was or what he was doing. Now he has returned for his mother’s funeral – and it will spark an explosion of hatred, bitterness and violence.
Defying her editor's wishes, Rebecca joins forces with local photographer Chazz Wymark to dig into the secrets surrounding Mhairi's death, and her mysterious last words of Thunder Bay, the secluded spot on the west coast of the island where, according to local lore, the souls of the dead set off into the after life. When another murder takes place, and the severe weather that gives the island its name hits, she is ideally placed to uncover the truth about what happened that night fifteen years before.
My Review
We open with the death of Mhairi a beautiful young girl meeting a tragic end. We flip to the "present day" fifteen years later and the guy everyone believed to have killed her is returning to the island, Stoirm. Reporter Rebecca Connolly is going to cover it, regardless of her bosses orders no to, Rebecca's dad is from the island and he would never discuss it. She has possibly an exclusive story AND a chance to figure out what was so bad about the place her father would never discuss it nor any of the family. Rebecca will learn that islands have their secrets and some people will kill to keep them!
Oooooh so this is my first dance with this author, never read him before although seem him at a few book events and always heard folk talk about his work. Not only is the cover fab with my fav colour and a striking view but it is set in a Scottish island and the wee island has its secrets and land stories/myths. I LOVE stuff like that and thought I was just heading into a murder/gossip type tale. After the murder we have a slow burn with the story teasing out its details, Rebecca meets a lot of opposition for what she is trying to do, no one wants outsiders butting in and small communities have a way of dealing with their own.
There are many strands to the story, the death of a beautiful young woman and the impact that has left on her family and daughter, especially in such a small place. The suspected killer returning after another death and bad things start to happen. Wee jumps in time back to the lead up to Mhairi's death and all those who lived there at the time. Like a modern day "Murder She Wrote" you get lots of information, snippets, reasons to distrust and, for me, still struggle to finger the bad guy and the why.
Engaging, a good pace, characters you want to read more about and a mystery from the past, will Mhairi ever get to leave "Thunder Bay" will she ever be avenged? Will her daughter ever get closure and can Rebecca get anyone to open up about whatever was so bad her father cut himself off from the family, the island and even the sheer mention of it? Gotta read it to get the answers folks!
I love when a book keeps you guessing, luring you page after page to conclusions and thinking you worked it out when no, no you really didn't. I liked the wee stories of myths and legends the islanders told and it makes me want to pick up a book on our own Scottish history, sure we have tons in our past. I also want to look these up and see if they came from anything or just a fab creation within a creation from the author. As I said this is my first dance with Skelton, it won't be my last, 4/5 for me this time.
Pages - 320
Publisher - Polygon
Source - Review Copy
Blurb from Goodreads
When reporter Rebecca Connolly is told of Roddie Drummond’s return to the island of Stoirm she senses a story. Fifteen years before he was charged with the murder of his lover, Mhairi. When he was found Not Proven, Roddie left the island and no one, apart from his sister, knew where he was or what he was doing. Now he has returned for his mother’s funeral – and it will spark an explosion of hatred, bitterness and violence.
Defying her editor's wishes, Rebecca joins forces with local photographer Chazz Wymark to dig into the secrets surrounding Mhairi's death, and her mysterious last words of Thunder Bay, the secluded spot on the west coast of the island where, according to local lore, the souls of the dead set off into the after life. When another murder takes place, and the severe weather that gives the island its name hits, she is ideally placed to uncover the truth about what happened that night fifteen years before.
My Review
We open with the death of Mhairi a beautiful young girl meeting a tragic end. We flip to the "present day" fifteen years later and the guy everyone believed to have killed her is returning to the island, Stoirm. Reporter Rebecca Connolly is going to cover it, regardless of her bosses orders no to, Rebecca's dad is from the island and he would never discuss it. She has possibly an exclusive story AND a chance to figure out what was so bad about the place her father would never discuss it nor any of the family. Rebecca will learn that islands have their secrets and some people will kill to keep them!
Oooooh so this is my first dance with this author, never read him before although seem him at a few book events and always heard folk talk about his work. Not only is the cover fab with my fav colour and a striking view but it is set in a Scottish island and the wee island has its secrets and land stories/myths. I LOVE stuff like that and thought I was just heading into a murder/gossip type tale. After the murder we have a slow burn with the story teasing out its details, Rebecca meets a lot of opposition for what she is trying to do, no one wants outsiders butting in and small communities have a way of dealing with their own.
There are many strands to the story, the death of a beautiful young woman and the impact that has left on her family and daughter, especially in such a small place. The suspected killer returning after another death and bad things start to happen. Wee jumps in time back to the lead up to Mhairi's death and all those who lived there at the time. Like a modern day "Murder She Wrote" you get lots of information, snippets, reasons to distrust and, for me, still struggle to finger the bad guy and the why.
Engaging, a good pace, characters you want to read more about and a mystery from the past, will Mhairi ever get to leave "Thunder Bay" will she ever be avenged? Will her daughter ever get closure and can Rebecca get anyone to open up about whatever was so bad her father cut himself off from the family, the island and even the sheer mention of it? Gotta read it to get the answers folks!
I love when a book keeps you guessing, luring you page after page to conclusions and thinking you worked it out when no, no you really didn't. I liked the wee stories of myths and legends the islanders told and it makes me want to pick up a book on our own Scottish history, sure we have tons in our past. I also want to look these up and see if they came from anything or just a fab creation within a creation from the author. As I said this is my first dance with Skelton, it won't be my last, 4/5 for me this time.
April 23, 2021
There's nothing about this that distinguishes it from any other of its genre - or perhaps sub-genre is more correct as it seems "remote Scottish island" has emerged as the current popular setting (close enough to ride on Scandi-Noir's coattails? I'd say yes.)
Skelton's writing is serviceable but lacks any kind of sparkle or verve. He gets the job done in terms of characters and set up, but that's about it. He packs a lot of plot and character backstory bits and pieces into the front end, which I found mildly annoying. Just let the story breathe on its own, you know?
The characters were...fine. Establishing Rebecca, a young journalist, as the main investigative point of view was at least a little different than coming at it from the police side. However, others were more like caricatures, like the group of young male gamekeeper assistants who come swaggering into a town hall meeting like Monty Python's nun gang.
But it was Skelton's introduction of Alan that put the brakes on the book for me. The description of the character employed such "He's gay!" cliches as noting his stylish clothes and the overall neat and tidy manner of his bearing (aka Alan gets regular manicures and for sure has a skin care regime). Then Alan's handshake is described as firm and strong despite his "effete" appearance (because the gays, you know how they are, all extravagant mannerisms and weak, limp-wristed affectation, amirite? )
Just no, fuck off with that shit. It's 2021. Do fucking better.
If you're desperate for more "Scotti-Noir" then I say keep looking. Adding this book to your list isn't going to elevate your reading experience.
Skelton's writing is serviceable but lacks any kind of sparkle or verve. He gets the job done in terms of characters and set up, but that's about it. He packs a lot of plot and character backstory bits and pieces into the front end, which I found mildly annoying. Just let the story breathe on its own, you know?
The characters were...fine. Establishing Rebecca, a young journalist, as the main investigative point of view was at least a little different than coming at it from the police side. However, others were more like caricatures, like the group of young male gamekeeper assistants who come swaggering into a town hall meeting like Monty Python's nun gang.
But it was Skelton's introduction of Alan that put the brakes on the book for me. The description of the character employed such "He's gay!" cliches as noting his stylish clothes and the overall neat and tidy manner of his bearing (aka Alan gets regular manicures and for sure has a skin care regime). Then Alan's handshake is described as firm and strong despite his "effete" appearance (because the gays, you know how they are, all extravagant mannerisms and weak, limp-wristed affectation, amirite? )
Just no, fuck off with that shit. It's 2021. Do fucking better.
If you're desperate for more "Scotti-Noir" then I say keep looking. Adding this book to your list isn't going to elevate your reading experience.
August 15, 2021
Rebecca Connolly kommt als Journalistin auf die schottische Insel Stoirm, um eine Zeugin in einem aktuellen Verfahren zu interviewen. Weil zugleich Roddie Drummond zur Beerdigung seiner Mutter auf der Insel erwartet wird, verspricht sich Rebecca auch neue Erkenntnisse im 15 Jahre alten ungelösten Mordfall Mhairi Sinclair. Damals war Roddie aus Mangel an Beweisen freigesprochen worden, obwohl einige Einwohner ihn für den Täter hielten. Rebecca hat nicht nur gute Beziehungen zu Chaz, dem jungen Fotografen von Stoirm, sondern auch ihr Vater stammt von der 3000-Einwohner-Insel. Da Vater Connolly standhaft über seine Kindheit schwieg und über sein Motiv, die Insel für immer zu verlassen, ist es für Rebecca neu, dass dort der Grundbesitzer in Luxustourismus investieren will, der den Einwohnern jedoch keine Einkünfte bringen wird. Dem „Laird“ sitzen bei seinem Projekt verdächtige Gestalten im Nacken, denen er offenbar etwas schuldet, aber auch Naturschützer und andere Kritiker. Eine Journalistin in der Bürgerversammlung hat Henry gerade noch gefehlt. Auch der pensionierte Polizist, der u. a. damals ermittelte, hält nichts davon, dass eine Außenstehende ihre Nase in Insel-Angelegenheiten steckt.
In Rückblenden kommen mehrere Zeugen als Sprecher zu Wort, die Rebecca aus der Zeit berichten, als Mhairi tödlich verletzt in Thunder Bay gefunden wurde. Vor Rebecca liegt ein kompliziertes Beziehungsnetz, in dem das Opfer mit einem Mann lebte, der nicht der Vater ihres Kindes war, und in dem krumme Geschäfte gemacht wurden, die zumindest Roddie kein Glück brachten. Rebecca stößt jedoch stets auf konsequentes Schweigen, sowie sie ihren Namen nennt oder wenn es um die beteiligten „Familien“ geht. Familienangelegenheiten rechtfertigen offenbar alles – exakt damit hatte sich Rebeccas Vater stets Gesprächen über Stoirm entzogen. Die Pfarrerin scheint nun die einzige Quelle zu sein, aus der Rebecca erfahren kann, warum ihr Vater nie wieder nach Stoirm zurückkehrte.
Douglas Skeltons Serienauftakt nutzt ein vertrautes Setting, in dem Bewohner einer Insel nicht wahrhaben wollen, dass ein Straftäter einer von ihnen sein muss, eine vertraute Person. Durch den Wechsel zwischen Rückblicken verschiedener Figuren und dem aktuellen Konflikt um ein Luxus-Resort erhält die Handlung Tempo. Die Lösung wird schließlich aufgedeckt, jedoch nicht unbedingt ermittelt. Neben romantischem Inselfeeling als Kulisse, hinter der Gewalt und Kriminalität lauern, kann der erste Fall für Rebecca Connolly auch sprachlich punkten.
Im Original sind bisher 3 Bände erschienen, der zweite Band in deutscher Übersetzung „Das Grab in den Highlands“ ist für März 2022 angekündigt.
In Rückblenden kommen mehrere Zeugen als Sprecher zu Wort, die Rebecca aus der Zeit berichten, als Mhairi tödlich verletzt in Thunder Bay gefunden wurde. Vor Rebecca liegt ein kompliziertes Beziehungsnetz, in dem das Opfer mit einem Mann lebte, der nicht der Vater ihres Kindes war, und in dem krumme Geschäfte gemacht wurden, die zumindest Roddie kein Glück brachten. Rebecca stößt jedoch stets auf konsequentes Schweigen, sowie sie ihren Namen nennt oder wenn es um die beteiligten „Familien“ geht. Familienangelegenheiten rechtfertigen offenbar alles – exakt damit hatte sich Rebeccas Vater stets Gesprächen über Stoirm entzogen. Die Pfarrerin scheint nun die einzige Quelle zu sein, aus der Rebecca erfahren kann, warum ihr Vater nie wieder nach Stoirm zurückkehrte.
Douglas Skeltons Serienauftakt nutzt ein vertrautes Setting, in dem Bewohner einer Insel nicht wahrhaben wollen, dass ein Straftäter einer von ihnen sein muss, eine vertraute Person. Durch den Wechsel zwischen Rückblicken verschiedener Figuren und dem aktuellen Konflikt um ein Luxus-Resort erhält die Handlung Tempo. Die Lösung wird schließlich aufgedeckt, jedoch nicht unbedingt ermittelt. Neben romantischem Inselfeeling als Kulisse, hinter der Gewalt und Kriminalität lauern, kann der erste Fall für Rebecca Connolly auch sprachlich punkten.
Im Original sind bisher 3 Bände erschienen, der zweite Band in deutscher Übersetzung „Das Grab in den Highlands“ ist für März 2022 angekündigt.
November 10, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Skyhorse Publishing for a review copy of Thunder Bay, a stand alone novel set on the Scottish island of Stoirm featuring reporter Rebecca Connolly.
15 years ago Mhairi Sinclair was murdered on the island and her boyfriend Roddy Drummond was tried for the murder. The case resulted in the Scottish verdict of not proven and Roddy was released. Now he is returning to the island for the first time and Rebecca returns to her father’s boyhood home to investigate.
I was really looking forward to reading Thunder Bay as, being Scottish, I am always interested in home fiction where there is a certain comfort and familiarity, be it the physical location or the characters’ reactions and dialogue. Unfortunately I was disappointed as this failed to hold my attention and it took me days rather than hours to get through. Firstly I should say that I enjoyed the prose which is clear and concise, making every development easy to understand. It is, however, also very detailed, for example, detailing every character’s appearance and clothing. I assume that this is designed to let the reader draw inferences and build a clear picture but it also slows the momentum of events. Strangely as I’m not always a big fan of multiple viewpoints and timelines I thought the most impactful parts of the novel were when Rebecca’s interviewees slipped back 15 years to give first person accounts of events as there is a real sense of emotion that seems to be lacking in present day events.
Thunder Bay is a really slow novel with little happening. It is a gradual unravelling of facts and thoughts and my poor attention span obviously denotes my desire for a bit more action and forcefulness. This is amply rewarded in the final quarter of the novel which has enough action and revealed secrets to fill the entire novel.
I also feel that I got little sense of location. Yes, the island is well described but the small secretive, insular community that lives there could be anywhere and while it is atmospheric there is no real sense of Scottishness in either the dialogue or the characters. The picture it paints of a small community jealously guarding its secrets from outsiders is distinctly unedifying, not just about Mhairi’s death but about why Rebecca’s dad left the island which is a secondary thread in the novel.
Thunder Bay will appeal to the more thoughtful reader.
15 years ago Mhairi Sinclair was murdered on the island and her boyfriend Roddy Drummond was tried for the murder. The case resulted in the Scottish verdict of not proven and Roddy was released. Now he is returning to the island for the first time and Rebecca returns to her father’s boyhood home to investigate.
I was really looking forward to reading Thunder Bay as, being Scottish, I am always interested in home fiction where there is a certain comfort and familiarity, be it the physical location or the characters’ reactions and dialogue. Unfortunately I was disappointed as this failed to hold my attention and it took me days rather than hours to get through. Firstly I should say that I enjoyed the prose which is clear and concise, making every development easy to understand. It is, however, also very detailed, for example, detailing every character’s appearance and clothing. I assume that this is designed to let the reader draw inferences and build a clear picture but it also slows the momentum of events. Strangely as I’m not always a big fan of multiple viewpoints and timelines I thought the most impactful parts of the novel were when Rebecca’s interviewees slipped back 15 years to give first person accounts of events as there is a real sense of emotion that seems to be lacking in present day events.
Thunder Bay is a really slow novel with little happening. It is a gradual unravelling of facts and thoughts and my poor attention span obviously denotes my desire for a bit more action and forcefulness. This is amply rewarded in the final quarter of the novel which has enough action and revealed secrets to fill the entire novel.
I also feel that I got little sense of location. Yes, the island is well described but the small secretive, insular community that lives there could be anywhere and while it is atmospheric there is no real sense of Scottishness in either the dialogue or the characters. The picture it paints of a small community jealously guarding its secrets from outsiders is distinctly unedifying, not just about Mhairi’s death but about why Rebecca’s dad left the island which is a secondary thread in the novel.
Thunder Bay will appeal to the more thoughtful reader.
March 22, 2020
Thunder Bay is an atmospheric mystery taking place on a Scottish island called Stoirm. The island is the most important element to the story, the islanders understanding of family and community is everything. Rebecca Connolly is a reporter, an outsider with an inside connection. Her late father came from Stoirm, though he never told her a thing about his life there. She is certain there is a story to be told when Roddie Drummond, a man suspected of killing his lover Mhairi fifteen years earlier, returns for his mother’s funeral. Scotland has a third verdict option, not proven, which is not quite not guilty.
Meanwhile, there is another conflict brewing, one that connects many of the same people who were friends with Roddie and Mhairi long ago. So, when people are attacked or are killed is it because of the past or the present? And will Rebecca ever learn anything about her father?
I am struggling with what to say about Thunder Bay. Usually, when I do not like a book, I know exactly why. I did not connect with Rebecca or any of the characters. The author, Douglas Skelton, did create a sense of place, of insular isolation and scenic beauty, but the people seemed like archetypes, not real people. Rebecca was smart enough and her dual motivation plausible, but I didn’t like her and I don’t know why. Perhaps she was too careless of other people.
There are two separate “plots” so to speak, both involve many of the same people. I didn’t feel any sense of suspense, though. I knew quite soon who the “bad guys” had to be and was not surprised. Nonetheless, that’s fairly common for anyone who has read a lot of mysteries. Perhaps it’s just generalized anxiety from the pandemic and not the author’s fault at all.
I received an e-galley of Thunder Bay from the publisher through NetGalley.
Thunder Bay at Skyhorse Publishing
Douglas Skelton author site
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
Meanwhile, there is another conflict brewing, one that connects many of the same people who were friends with Roddie and Mhairi long ago. So, when people are attacked or are killed is it because of the past or the present? And will Rebecca ever learn anything about her father?
I am struggling with what to say about Thunder Bay. Usually, when I do not like a book, I know exactly why. I did not connect with Rebecca or any of the characters. The author, Douglas Skelton, did create a sense of place, of insular isolation and scenic beauty, but the people seemed like archetypes, not real people. Rebecca was smart enough and her dual motivation plausible, but I didn’t like her and I don’t know why. Perhaps she was too careless of other people.
There are two separate “plots” so to speak, both involve many of the same people. I didn’t feel any sense of suspense, though. I knew quite soon who the “bad guys” had to be and was not surprised. Nonetheless, that’s fairly common for anyone who has read a lot of mysteries. Perhaps it’s just generalized anxiety from the pandemic and not the author’s fault at all.
I received an e-galley of Thunder Bay from the publisher through NetGalley.
Thunder Bay at Skyhorse Publishing
Douglas Skelton author site
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
July 23, 2020
‘Rebecca told herself she didn’t care, that she couldn’t take any more or Stoirm and its secrets’. This is how I felt towards the end of this staggeringly badly written ‘thriller’ (and I use that word loosely). Skelton, in my opinion, is a very poor writer with an unengaging, flat and straight forward style devoid of any flair or personality. I actually read another book whilst I was supposed to be reading this and reluctantly returned to it, hoping it would improve. It didn’t. The characters didn’t elicit any sympathy, were paper thin, clichéd outlines. There was a sad lack of action, suspense or tension. The island setting was vaguely interesting, but by the end I was hoping it and all its unlikable inhabitants would just sink into the sea. That the undercurrent of the so called ‘plot’ displayed a breathtaking misogyny just made things worse and is likely to offend readers. As another reviewer states, the stunning cover is the best thing about this painful read, not recommended.
August 25, 2021
Rebecca is a great character, driven by her past and an interesting case in the present she goes to the island of stoirm which is an invented island but feels very real. The location contributes massively to this story and you become so involved in the goings on of all the characters that you find yourself really looking forward to reading the next one. 4* from me :)
March 8, 2019
Disappointing.
October 30, 2020
SPOILER ALERT
This was so slow. Additionally it was depressing, brutal, and sad. Rebecca Connelly, a reporter for the Highland Chronicle, gets wind of a story, through Chaz Wymark, a photographer who lives on Stoirm, an island off the Scottish coast. Roddie Drummond is returning to the island for his mother's funeral. He was accused of murdering his girlfriend, Mhairi, fifteen years earlier and the verdict was "not proven". His returning will prove to be the catalyst to more violence and the revealing of long held secrets. In fact the island is rotting from within with secrets of the past, that are not spoken of so they not taint the future. But those same secrets account for hatred and suspicion.
Rebecca's own father was from Stoirm, and would not talk about the island or why he had left and vowed never to return. Her mother Val tells her to ask his former girlfriend, the local minister Fiona McRae for answers, that he had not revealed even to his her. With that in mind Rebecca defies her boss who doesn't believe there is a story to be had, and refuses to let her go to the island. Once she is on the island, and as she pursues the story, or the truth as she repeats to those in the community she interviews, more bad things happen.
Roddie is a shadow of his former self. He has led a life of crime. Donnie Kerr, the father of Mhairi's daughter, has redeemed himself by getting off drugs and now runs a boat that takes tourists around the island to see wildlife. But he is not well regarded as he had abandoned Mhairi when she was pregnant. Mhairi had then gone to live with Roddie. But it is revealed that she believed she was pregnant again, which she tells her mother just before she is killed, and it is not Roddie. Her mother tells Rebecca that Mhairi believed she was in trouble. Mhairi's father Hector had kept a distance from her believing that she was a whore, who slept with multiple men from the island. Indeed she was in trouble. She sees something she was not supposed to see, and will not agree to keep it a secret. Each person involved has a section to tell his or her involvement. Donnie only wanted her money for drug, abandoning her. Campbell Drummond hears an argument between her and Roddie, but believes he should not interfere. Roddie is accompanied by Tamaz, who has been sent by Lord Henry. She had witnessed the offloading of women being trafficked, from a boat at Thunder Bay...her last words. Roddie was involved. Roddie is told to go stay with Sonya, Mhairi's daughter, and he leaves the room to sit and listen to Mhairi being beaten to death.
Roddie's return also coincides with the renovation of the property owned by Lord Henry Stuart. The renovation funds are being provided by Russians Ichkit and Jarji Nilkoladze who is accompanied by Tamaz, a ruthless killer. The project is controversial, as Donnie and others believe that any money provided by those who come to the resort/hunting lodge will stay at the lodge and pull some of the money made by the community away. A meeting becomes violent. Donnie is attacked by employees of the Lord, and nearly killed. Racism and hate causes employees of the Lord to chase Chaz and his boyfriend and crashed their car. Carl Marsh, the estate manager/gamekeeper is a very violent man. He is insanely jealous of Roddie who had had an affair with his wife Deirdre in the past, and she is still in love with Roddie. Carl beats her regularly, and when she visits Roddie when returns, his beating nearly kills her. He then goes after Roddie intending to shoot him but is stopped by a crowd including Campbell and retired cop DS William Sawyer. When he goes back to kill Deirdre, she shoots and kills him.
This is a story of secrets and violence, a community rotting from within, and which provides natural justice, outside the police. "This is an island thing" is a response made to concerns brought up by Rebecca, including her ancestry. The community believes that one does not talk about the past, that would taint the future. Only the older generation knows many of the secrets and they will eventually die. These are "blood secrets", the most important ones to keep. And natural justice is meted out against Roddie in the end, becoming a mystery and another secret the island will keep.
As for Rebecca's father secret, Fiona tells her some of the history, and produces an diary. 150 years ago three families came to the island from Ireland: the Connellys, the Devlins and the Cloughertys. They were very strict Christians, a group called the Blood of Christ, that went well beyond the beliefs of others on the island. They lived in the hills. Eventually they intermarried with other islanders and became diluted to fundamentalist beliefs. Women were not well regarded even into the twentieth century. In the 17th c there was a Concealment of Pregnancy law that declared that if a woman concealed her pregnancy, usually because she was not married and marriage was not on the table, and her child was stillborn or died at birth, the woman was held guilty of murder. The father was blameless. It was like a anti-abortion law, open to abuse. If born alive the child was taken into the hills and disposed of. Hence the phrase that was repeated while Rebecca was investigating Roddie that "he should have been taken into the hills at birth". Rebecca's great, great grandmother Roberta was a strict and ruthless member of the Connelly clan. She believed that a child born out of wedlock was an abomination and a thing of the devil. If a member of the clan fell pregnant and was not married they were sent to stay with Roberta and at birth the child was put into a pail of water that was at the foot of the table where the woman gave birth. Rebecca is sickened with the information. When Fiona tells her of the diary, Rebecca tells her to burn it. Rebecca is troubled by the feedback that much of what happened on the island in the few days she was there was her fault.
As Rebecca prepares to leave the island she tells Lord Henry that she knows the secrets. She knows what happened in Thunder Bay. She hints of knowing even more. She knows she does not have the proof necessary to bring to the police. He threatens her, telling her she is playing a dangerous game. She intends to tell everyone who will listen what she learned believing it will keep her safe.
The one upbeat piece of the book is that of the reintroduction of the sea eagles, once thought to be extinct, to the island, that live in Thunder Bay. Not all of the islanders like them because theycan carry away lambs. They have a wingspan of eight feet. Several pairs, including William and Kate thrive now on the cliffs, and are protected. They are often called "flying barn doors". I would not recommend this.
This was so slow. Additionally it was depressing, brutal, and sad. Rebecca Connelly, a reporter for the Highland Chronicle, gets wind of a story, through Chaz Wymark, a photographer who lives on Stoirm, an island off the Scottish coast. Roddie Drummond is returning to the island for his mother's funeral. He was accused of murdering his girlfriend, Mhairi, fifteen years earlier and the verdict was "not proven". His returning will prove to be the catalyst to more violence and the revealing of long held secrets. In fact the island is rotting from within with secrets of the past, that are not spoken of so they not taint the future. But those same secrets account for hatred and suspicion.
Rebecca's own father was from Stoirm, and would not talk about the island or why he had left and vowed never to return. Her mother Val tells her to ask his former girlfriend, the local minister Fiona McRae for answers, that he had not revealed even to his her. With that in mind Rebecca defies her boss who doesn't believe there is a story to be had, and refuses to let her go to the island. Once she is on the island, and as she pursues the story, or the truth as she repeats to those in the community she interviews, more bad things happen.
Roddie is a shadow of his former self. He has led a life of crime. Donnie Kerr, the father of Mhairi's daughter, has redeemed himself by getting off drugs and now runs a boat that takes tourists around the island to see wildlife. But he is not well regarded as he had abandoned Mhairi when she was pregnant. Mhairi had then gone to live with Roddie. But it is revealed that she believed she was pregnant again, which she tells her mother just before she is killed, and it is not Roddie. Her mother tells Rebecca that Mhairi believed she was in trouble. Mhairi's father Hector had kept a distance from her believing that she was a whore, who slept with multiple men from the island. Indeed she was in trouble. She sees something she was not supposed to see, and will not agree to keep it a secret. Each person involved has a section to tell his or her involvement. Donnie only wanted her money for drug, abandoning her. Campbell Drummond hears an argument between her and Roddie, but believes he should not interfere. Roddie is accompanied by Tamaz, who has been sent by Lord Henry. She had witnessed the offloading of women being trafficked, from a boat at Thunder Bay...her last words. Roddie was involved. Roddie is told to go stay with Sonya, Mhairi's daughter, and he leaves the room to sit and listen to Mhairi being beaten to death.
Roddie's return also coincides with the renovation of the property owned by Lord Henry Stuart. The renovation funds are being provided by Russians Ichkit and Jarji Nilkoladze who is accompanied by Tamaz, a ruthless killer. The project is controversial, as Donnie and others believe that any money provided by those who come to the resort/hunting lodge will stay at the lodge and pull some of the money made by the community away. A meeting becomes violent. Donnie is attacked by employees of the Lord, and nearly killed. Racism and hate causes employees of the Lord to chase Chaz and his boyfriend and crashed their car. Carl Marsh, the estate manager/gamekeeper is a very violent man. He is insanely jealous of Roddie who had had an affair with his wife Deirdre in the past, and she is still in love with Roddie. Carl beats her regularly, and when she visits Roddie when returns, his beating nearly kills her. He then goes after Roddie intending to shoot him but is stopped by a crowd including Campbell and retired cop DS William Sawyer. When he goes back to kill Deirdre, she shoots and kills him.
This is a story of secrets and violence, a community rotting from within, and which provides natural justice, outside the police. "This is an island thing" is a response made to concerns brought up by Rebecca, including her ancestry. The community believes that one does not talk about the past, that would taint the future. Only the older generation knows many of the secrets and they will eventually die. These are "blood secrets", the most important ones to keep. And natural justice is meted out against Roddie in the end, becoming a mystery and another secret the island will keep.
As for Rebecca's father secret, Fiona tells her some of the history, and produces an diary. 150 years ago three families came to the island from Ireland: the Connellys, the Devlins and the Cloughertys. They were very strict Christians, a group called the Blood of Christ, that went well beyond the beliefs of others on the island. They lived in the hills. Eventually they intermarried with other islanders and became diluted to fundamentalist beliefs. Women were not well regarded even into the twentieth century. In the 17th c there was a Concealment of Pregnancy law that declared that if a woman concealed her pregnancy, usually because she was not married and marriage was not on the table, and her child was stillborn or died at birth, the woman was held guilty of murder. The father was blameless. It was like a anti-abortion law, open to abuse. If born alive the child was taken into the hills and disposed of. Hence the phrase that was repeated while Rebecca was investigating Roddie that "he should have been taken into the hills at birth". Rebecca's great, great grandmother Roberta was a strict and ruthless member of the Connelly clan. She believed that a child born out of wedlock was an abomination and a thing of the devil. If a member of the clan fell pregnant and was not married they were sent to stay with Roberta and at birth the child was put into a pail of water that was at the foot of the table where the woman gave birth. Rebecca is sickened with the information. When Fiona tells her of the diary, Rebecca tells her to burn it. Rebecca is troubled by the feedback that much of what happened on the island in the few days she was there was her fault.
As Rebecca prepares to leave the island she tells Lord Henry that she knows the secrets. She knows what happened in Thunder Bay. She hints of knowing even more. She knows she does not have the proof necessary to bring to the police. He threatens her, telling her she is playing a dangerous game. She intends to tell everyone who will listen what she learned believing it will keep her safe.
The one upbeat piece of the book is that of the reintroduction of the sea eagles, once thought to be extinct, to the island, that live in Thunder Bay. Not all of the islanders like them because theycan carry away lambs. They have a wingspan of eight feet. Several pairs, including William and Kate thrive now on the cliffs, and are protected. They are often called "flying barn doors". I would not recommend this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2023
A really nice, easy and enjoyable book to read. I found myself squeezing in a chapter or two when I could throughout the day.
May 4, 2019
Before I share my thoughts on the book, can we just talk about the cover? Isn't it fabulous? Anyone who knows me will tell you that I adore anything purple, but that aside, it's so atmospheric. Love it.
Anyway, moving on. Roddie is returning to Stoirm for his mother's funeral. He left fifteen years earlier after being found Not Proven for the murder of his girlfriend Mhairi. For those of you not familiar with Not Proven, it's a uniquely Scottish verdict, technically a form of acquittal, but often associated with guilt. Consequently, Roddie's return to the island is far from popular, and opens up some old wounds.
Journalist Rebecca wants to cover the story, but she also has her own reasons for going to the island - a different story that she wants to uncover. And through her eyes, we see island life.
As always, I don't want to say too much because I really don't want to give anything away. This is a delight you will want to uncover for yourself. There are many story strands running through the book, and a whole cast of characters involved. They are so wonderfully described that you will warm to some of them immediately whilst others you really won't like. And some you wonder about. The characterisation is spot on - I could picture these folk in my mind. Rebecca and Chaz were standouts for me, but I also found Roddie to be oddly affecting. But really, every single person is brilliantly described.
Just as important is the setting. The island of Stoirm seems to me to be beautiful but quite brutal. And claustrophobic, but that's as also to do with the small island community where everyone knows everyone else. Thunder Bay itself is breathtaking. Isolated, dangerous and steeped in legend. And the last words that Mhairi spoke before she died. We hear the wind howling, the waves crashing and the gulls crying - it made me shiver.
This is a story of secrets and lies, and the danger that both can bring. It's about finding the truth, whatever consequences that might bring. It's beautifully written, descriptive and atmospheric. The pacing is perfect, and the conclusion unexpected. Douglas Skelton has delivered possibly his best work yet, and that really is saying something! It's a triumph. Go read it. Oh, and it's absolutely crying out to be made into a film!
Anyway, moving on. Roddie is returning to Stoirm for his mother's funeral. He left fifteen years earlier after being found Not Proven for the murder of his girlfriend Mhairi. For those of you not familiar with Not Proven, it's a uniquely Scottish verdict, technically a form of acquittal, but often associated with guilt. Consequently, Roddie's return to the island is far from popular, and opens up some old wounds.
Journalist Rebecca wants to cover the story, but she also has her own reasons for going to the island - a different story that she wants to uncover. And through her eyes, we see island life.
As always, I don't want to say too much because I really don't want to give anything away. This is a delight you will want to uncover for yourself. There are many story strands running through the book, and a whole cast of characters involved. They are so wonderfully described that you will warm to some of them immediately whilst others you really won't like. And some you wonder about. The characterisation is spot on - I could picture these folk in my mind. Rebecca and Chaz were standouts for me, but I also found Roddie to be oddly affecting. But really, every single person is brilliantly described.
Just as important is the setting. The island of Stoirm seems to me to be beautiful but quite brutal. And claustrophobic, but that's as also to do with the small island community where everyone knows everyone else. Thunder Bay itself is breathtaking. Isolated, dangerous and steeped in legend. And the last words that Mhairi spoke before she died. We hear the wind howling, the waves crashing and the gulls crying - it made me shiver.
This is a story of secrets and lies, and the danger that both can bring. It's about finding the truth, whatever consequences that might bring. It's beautifully written, descriptive and atmospheric. The pacing is perfect, and the conclusion unexpected. Douglas Skelton has delivered possibly his best work yet, and that really is saying something! It's a triumph. Go read it. Oh, and it's absolutely crying out to be made into a film!
July 21, 2024
The island where Douglas Skelton’s Thunder Bay is set is the kind of place that can’t help but infuriate and enchant its inhabitants. Stoirm, the fictional Scottish coastal island, is a place where people have long memories and an unshakable need to keep their families’ secrets. It would be a tough nut to crack for even a seasoned reporter. Rebecca Connolly, one of the few journalists for a weekly paper, only has a tenuous family connection of her own as an in with the people of Stoirm. Thankfully, this connection is shored up by her own determination and the fact that secrets, no matter how tightly held, have a way of coming out eventually...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss, for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss, for review consideration.
July 28, 2021
Enjoyable but messy and bordering on the melodramatic at times with a leaning towards stereotyped characters (nasty gamekeeper, dodgy Eastern Europeans, suspicious teuchters) with a plot that moves along quite nicely albeit with no real surprises at the end. I'd probably give this 2 stars to be honest but as I'm Scottish and the landscape and seascape descriptions were so good I've been generous for a change.
December 4, 2024
A compelling, all engrossing, and sometimes bleak crime thriller that is the first in a series - what more could an avid crime reader want?
Set on a Scottish island, the book featured a young female journalist, Rebecca Connolly. Single, she has just finished a relationship that, in her opinion, had no future. Rebecca, who lives and works in Inverness at a small weekly newspaper, travels to the island of Storim, where her father was born. Her reasons are two-fold. A man who was charged with the murder of his lover has just returned to the island for the funeral of his mother. It is Roddie Drummond's first time back on Storim since he received a verdict of "Not Proven" fifteen years previously. Rebecca thinks there is more to this story than formerly reported. Also, she wants to discover why her late father had always been so very secretive about his life on the island. She intends to uncover her own family's secrets. The problem however, is that she does not have the blessing of her editor to do either of these things...
Once on the island, Rebecca befriends a young freelance photographer named Chaz and his partner, Alan. Thank heavens, as most of the islanders view her with open hostility. During her investigations, many of Storim's dark secrets will be revealed. Meanwhile, her editor back in Inverness contacts her to return to the mainland at once. Conveniently, a storm precludes her from following his directive.
The manor house on the island, owned by an aristocratic family, is being revamped to house a resort - a resort that will only benefit the wealthy family, not the islanders...
The brutal weather and insular feel of the island play a huge part in the narrative.
Many dark themes are touched upon in "Thunder Bay". Domestic abuse, infidelity, corruption, avarice, physical violence, and even darker crimes. The insular island community is well described. "It's an island thing" - is used to encompass many of this atmospheric island's eccentricities. The characters are realistic and the descriptive prose is astounding.
I loved the way that Rebecca's history and personality are gradually revealed. This brooding, tense, and highly atmospheric mystery was one I thoroughly enjoyed. Hopefully, I'll be able to follow this series to its conclusion in 2025. Can't wait! Scottish Noir at its finest.
Set on a Scottish island, the book featured a young female journalist, Rebecca Connolly. Single, she has just finished a relationship that, in her opinion, had no future. Rebecca, who lives and works in Inverness at a small weekly newspaper, travels to the island of Storim, where her father was born. Her reasons are two-fold. A man who was charged with the murder of his lover has just returned to the island for the funeral of his mother. It is Roddie Drummond's first time back on Storim since he received a verdict of "Not Proven" fifteen years previously. Rebecca thinks there is more to this story than formerly reported. Also, she wants to discover why her late father had always been so very secretive about his life on the island. She intends to uncover her own family's secrets. The problem however, is that she does not have the blessing of her editor to do either of these things...
Once on the island, Rebecca befriends a young freelance photographer named Chaz and his partner, Alan. Thank heavens, as most of the islanders view her with open hostility. During her investigations, many of Storim's dark secrets will be revealed. Meanwhile, her editor back in Inverness contacts her to return to the mainland at once. Conveniently, a storm precludes her from following his directive.
The manor house on the island, owned by an aristocratic family, is being revamped to house a resort - a resort that will only benefit the wealthy family, not the islanders...
The brutal weather and insular feel of the island play a huge part in the narrative.
Many dark themes are touched upon in "Thunder Bay". Domestic abuse, infidelity, corruption, avarice, physical violence, and even darker crimes. The insular island community is well described. "It's an island thing" - is used to encompass many of this atmospheric island's eccentricities. The characters are realistic and the descriptive prose is astounding.
I loved the way that Rebecca's history and personality are gradually revealed. This brooding, tense, and highly atmospheric mystery was one I thoroughly enjoyed. Hopefully, I'll be able to follow this series to its conclusion in 2025. Can't wait! Scottish Noir at its finest.
January 6, 2022
Insulaner
Die junge Journalistin Rebecca Connolly erfährt zufällig, dass ein mutmaßlicher Mörder auf seine Heimatinsel zurückkehrt, um an der Beerdigung seiner Mutter teilzunehmen. Damals wurde er aus Mangel an Beweisen freigesprochen. Das könnte die Story sein. Obwohl ihr Chefredakteur nichts davon hält, reist Rebecca auf die Inseln. Von Stoirm stammte auch ihr verstorbener Vater und er hat nie ein Wort über seine Heimat gesprochen. Nun will Rebecca endlich die Gelegenheit wahrnehmen, um mehr über ihr eigene Herkunft zu erfahren. Schon auf der Fähre trifft sie den Heimkehrer Roddie Drummond. Doch dieser verhält sich eher verschlossen und auch die Leute auf der Insel scheinen nicht gerade erfreut über die Ankunft der Fremden.
Mit diesem Band startet die Reihe um die Reporterin Rebecca Connolly. Die junge Frau macht gerade eine Phase des Umbruchs durch. Deshalb nimmt sie die Gelegenheit, für eine Weile fort zu sein gerne wahr. Auch wenn die Insel erstmal eher unwirtlich erscheint, versucht Rebecca doch, mit den Menschen in Kontakt zu kommen. Vielleicht kann sie je etwas erfahren, das eine Story ergibt oder sogar etwas Neues über den Tag, an dem eine junge Frau gewaltsam zu Tode kam. Doch schon der damalige und nun ehemalige Ermittler versucht, Rebecca von ihrem Vorhaben abzubringen.
Eine unwirtliche und auch ungastliche Insel, deren Bewohner ihre Geheimnisse hegen, ein etwas düsteres Setting. Die Beschreibungen von Land und Leuten beschwören gleich die entsprechende Stimmung herauf. Durch Rebeccas Augen sieht man die Entwicklungen, die vor fünfzehn Jahren zu dem tragischen Tod einer jungen Mutter geführt haben. Auch bekommt man Hinweise, weshalb ihr Vater die Insel verlassen haben könnte. Auch wenn ein paar Geschehnisse aus moderner oder festländischer Sicht eher antiquiert wirken, so ist man doch gefesselt. Die Darstellung des Lebens in der kleinen Gemeinschaft, in der jeder jeden kennt, wirkt lebendig und authentisch, auch wenn man auf den Gedanken kommt, dass man auf so einer Insel nicht leben möchte. Vielleicht ist noch ein wenig Luft nach oben, aber dennoch gefällt dieser spannende Reihenauftakt.
Die junge Journalistin Rebecca Connolly erfährt zufällig, dass ein mutmaßlicher Mörder auf seine Heimatinsel zurückkehrt, um an der Beerdigung seiner Mutter teilzunehmen. Damals wurde er aus Mangel an Beweisen freigesprochen. Das könnte die Story sein. Obwohl ihr Chefredakteur nichts davon hält, reist Rebecca auf die Inseln. Von Stoirm stammte auch ihr verstorbener Vater und er hat nie ein Wort über seine Heimat gesprochen. Nun will Rebecca endlich die Gelegenheit wahrnehmen, um mehr über ihr eigene Herkunft zu erfahren. Schon auf der Fähre trifft sie den Heimkehrer Roddie Drummond. Doch dieser verhält sich eher verschlossen und auch die Leute auf der Insel scheinen nicht gerade erfreut über die Ankunft der Fremden.
Mit diesem Band startet die Reihe um die Reporterin Rebecca Connolly. Die junge Frau macht gerade eine Phase des Umbruchs durch. Deshalb nimmt sie die Gelegenheit, für eine Weile fort zu sein gerne wahr. Auch wenn die Insel erstmal eher unwirtlich erscheint, versucht Rebecca doch, mit den Menschen in Kontakt zu kommen. Vielleicht kann sie je etwas erfahren, das eine Story ergibt oder sogar etwas Neues über den Tag, an dem eine junge Frau gewaltsam zu Tode kam. Doch schon der damalige und nun ehemalige Ermittler versucht, Rebecca von ihrem Vorhaben abzubringen.
Eine unwirtliche und auch ungastliche Insel, deren Bewohner ihre Geheimnisse hegen, ein etwas düsteres Setting. Die Beschreibungen von Land und Leuten beschwören gleich die entsprechende Stimmung herauf. Durch Rebeccas Augen sieht man die Entwicklungen, die vor fünfzehn Jahren zu dem tragischen Tod einer jungen Mutter geführt haben. Auch bekommt man Hinweise, weshalb ihr Vater die Insel verlassen haben könnte. Auch wenn ein paar Geschehnisse aus moderner oder festländischer Sicht eher antiquiert wirken, so ist man doch gefesselt. Die Darstellung des Lebens in der kleinen Gemeinschaft, in der jeder jeden kennt, wirkt lebendig und authentisch, auch wenn man auf den Gedanken kommt, dass man auf so einer Insel nicht leben möchte. Vielleicht ist noch ein wenig Luft nach oben, aber dennoch gefällt dieser spannende Reihenauftakt.
July 20, 2019
It’s an island thing
I think I did this book a disservice by reading it straight after The Janus Run. Could two books by the same author be any more different? Back in the homeland, this is set on a small island called Stoirm with reporter Rebecca Connolly chasing a story of a murder from 15 years previous. This is a story of families and secrets and of how things are different on the island. If the dark brooding cover doesn’t make you want to read this, I don’t know what will.
I think I did this book a disservice by reading it straight after The Janus Run. Could two books by the same author be any more different? Back in the homeland, this is set on a small island called Stoirm with reporter Rebecca Connolly chasing a story of a murder from 15 years previous. This is a story of families and secrets and of how things are different on the island. If the dark brooding cover doesn’t make you want to read this, I don’t know what will.
July 20, 2024
Would be a 3.5. Really enjoyed the build up but the ending speed of ending let it down.
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