Deadly Prospects

Scottish Mysteries #1

by Clio Gray

1869, Sutherland, Scotland. For years the people of this remote area of the Highlands have lived a hard life. Now a local Gold Rush has attracted the Pan-European Mining Company to the area, and Solveig McCleery is determined to re-open the Brora mines and give the population the riches they deserve.

But when work starts, the body of a prospector is discovered and odd inscriptions are found on stones near the corpse. Before the meanings of these marks can be deciphered another body is discovered.

And from the Far North a man is making his way to Solveig’s doorstep, his path of exile twisting him like the gold running through the rivers of Sutherland.

Gray’s richly researched historical crime series will keep readers gripped to the very last page.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Scotland, Historical, Fiction, Historical Mystery, 19th Century

280 pages, Paperback

Published June 26, 2022

About the author

Clio Gray has won many awards for her writing, including the Harry Bowling First Novel Award. She has been Man Booker Nominated, Long Listed for the Baileys, and Short Listed for the Cinnamon Prize. Born in Yorkshire, she spent her later childhood in Devon before returning to Yorkshire to go to university, after which she ended up in Scotland. For the past thirty years she has lived in the Highlands where she intends to remain.
Gray eschewed the usual route of marriage, mortgage, children, and instead spent her working life in libraries, filling her home with books and sharing that home with her dogs.
When she gets a few days off you can find her in her campervan scooting around the lesser known areas of Scotland and the Highlands that haven’t been brought to ruination by the dreadful tourist push called the NC500.

Reviews

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

1828. Sutherland,Scotland. Landowners decided to clear the population by closing the Brora Mines. Joseph Lundt, co-owner of the Lundt and McCleery Mining Company, was absolutely appalled. He had presented meticulous, detailed studies showcasing the profitability of the mines. The closure of the mines would be devastating to town residents.

The Helmsdale Pick of 1828 was Lundt's attempt to give eighty-seven families, chosen by straws, a berth on a ship to Norway to find better opportunities. The remaining residents turned to fishing or sheep herding to ward off starvation. Some traveled "Destitution Road" seeking employment. The Brora Mines were boarded up.

In 1869, Solveig McCleery, daughter of the mine co-founder, was determined to reopen the Brora Mines. She petitioned the company to reevaluate her request by dangling "a proverbial carrot"......some gold dust was unearthed in Kildonan. Two company men were sent to check the feasibility and restructuring of the Brora Mines Project. Brogar Finn's family had traveled down "Destitution Road" but were able to better themselves and eventually emigrate to Holland. Sholto McKay's parents were recipients of a new life having secured transport to Norway from the Helmsdale Pick. Brogar and Sholto were sent to investigate the gold rush in the valleys of Kildodan and Suisgill and to help Solveig in her quest to reopen the coal mines in Brora. Solveig wanted the remaining families to get back what she felt was their due. No one expected murders to occur. Why were rune messages crudely carved in Gaelic and left near the victim's bodies? Were the victims randomly or selectively chosen? Who would be next to die?

"Deadly Prospects" is historical fiction at its best. Author Clio Gray's descriptive language draws you in, challenging you to help solve the mystery. The perpetrator(s) were well concealed and very unexpected! A great read!

Thank you Urbane Publications and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "Deadly Prospects".

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 and 1 / 2 stars

This book starts out explosively. A volcano is erupting and few escape its wrath. It continues to erupt for several months. Five years later some of the survivors return. One of them, the woman highlighted in the opening scene, uncovers a satchel belonging to a man they called the “bean counter.” This man, Joseph Lundt, tries valiantly to save the people of the village from the mining company who closed their mine without reason. He has shown it was very valuable, but his bosses wouldn’t listen and closed the mine anyway. He found passage to other ports for only 87 of the families – to find new lives.

In 1869, Soveig appears on the scene, along with Sholto McKay and Brogar Finn two men from the mining company. There is a gold rush in the Scotland Highlands area where the closed mine exists. Solveig hopes to get the mine open again. To give it back to the village; to help the people. But before she can get the mine open, murders are committed.

This book seems to have everything: drama, suspense, old cult religion, lost languages and archeology. It is very well written and plotted, although on occasion it seems to lose its way.

The murderer comes as somewhat of a surprise. I had the wrong suspect all along.

This book is so well written that I can hardly say enough. I truly enjoyed the descriptions of the countryside and the people. I could literally see them in my mind.

This is my first Clio Gray novel, and it won’t be my last. I've already ordered the next in the series and am anxious to read it.

I want to thank Netgalley and Urbane Publications for forwarding to me a copy of this very nice book to read.

[Deborah Swift · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Crime - Literary
Gripping murder mystery and a whole lot more. Well-researched book that takes the reader effortlessly into the Victorian era, and the harsh realities of the clearances, when landowners shifted whole populations on a whim. Brora recovers by remaking itself as a Scottish mining community, but the mines fail, and they are only revived by the later search for gold. Add into this potent mix an archaeological investigation, a religious cult, and a killer on the loose, and you have a plot that is satisfyingly complex. The descriptions of the landscape, the historical event behind the archaeology (I won't spoil it) and the rigours of highland life are beautifully described. Intelligent crime fiction at its best. Will be buying the sequel.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

1869, Sutherland,and Solveig McCleery wants to re-open the mines on the estate to help improve the lives of the remaining population. She hopes with the help of Brogar Finn and Sholto McKay sent from the Mining Company. But when a mine is re-opened a body of a gold prospector is found. And his will not be the last of the murders. But who and why is doing the killings.
Although there was some likeable characters, at times for me there was too much description, and the use of a couple of modern idioms distracted from the telling. But I will probably read the next in the series.
A NetGalley Book

[Laura Newsholme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good example of historical crime fiction, being well paced and with good attention to detail. I must confess that it took me a few chapters to get into the narrative. Whether these opening chapters are confusing or whether I simply didn't immediately get to grasp with the prose style, I honestly couldn't say. What I will say is that the book has a satisfying climax and that the characters are well crafted and drawn with a deftness of touch that suggests great skill in the author. The book has not blown me away and I have my suspicions that I won't remember the details further down the line, but for those who enjoy the genre, it is definitely worth a look.

[Kate Vane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was almost brilliant. I loved the ambition of it, the dramatic opening and the audacity of having not one but two prologues (or a prologue in two parts). Despite that, I found it hard to immerse myself in the story.

I think it's the prose style that's the problem, multi-clause sentences that wander off in all directions. There's also a lack of variation in the pace of the writing. And an awful lot of typos and formatting errors in the Kindle edition.

[Annie (is so far behind 😬) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't the book, it was me. I've been having difficulty engaging with all my reads lately and this poor book was a long time to finish, despite being my favoured genre. The story, however, was well done, the writing descriptive and the characters and places drawn well.

This was my 'commuting book', one I carried with me for my twice daily train journey. Generally, I can lose myself in a couple of chapters while I'm en route but I struggled with this. I did eventually finish it, though, and am glad I did. It was enjoyable and well worth it, and I will keep my eyes open for the second installment at the library.

[Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a very well written and engrossing story.

[M Cava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and gives an interesting introduction and better understanding of Sutherland's history.

[Coralyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual story with lots of historical and cultural facts. A good read!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

1869: The few people that live in the remote area of Sutherland, in the Scottish Highlands, have scraped together an existence for years in this harsh environment, since the mines were closed. Farming is hard in these parts, but the people here have had little choice.

Now gold has been found and the subsequent Gold Rush has attracted the attention of the Pan-European Mining Company.

Solveig McCleery is keen that the Brora coal mines her father fought so hard to save, should be re-opened to bring prosperity back to the area and she has recruited the help of the Pan-European Mining Company's own agent, Brogar Finn, to help her.

However, as soon as work begins on the mines, one of the prospectors turns up dead, wrapped in a sack and surrounded with some curious artifacts bearing mysterious inscriptions. More bodies follow and each one seems to be conveying some sort of message, that Brogar's colleague, Sholto McKay, is working hard to decipher.

Can the mines be re-opened to bring back prosperity to the people of Sutherland? Are the murders connected to some strange prophecy of doom? Can Brogar and Sholto solve the mystery in time to save Solveig's plans?

Clio Gray's Deadly Prospects is the first installment of The Scottish Mysteries and establishes the partnership of man of action Brogar Finn and his erudite assistant Sholto McKay.

This book offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of this remote part of the Scottish Highlands, which was badly affected by the disastrous closure of the Brora mines and the land clearance that followed, instigated by the Duchess of Sutherland's preference for the company of sheep over that of her tenants. Thousands of Scots were forced to emigrate from the Highlands to look for work elsewhere, when they were dispossessed of their land and heritage, and those times are still looked back on with bitterness by many. Those that remained lived a hard life indeed.

I like to think that there were some charismatic characters like Solveig around at the time to bring about the re-opening of the mines and there is no question that the people who remained behind after the clearances were certainly made of strong stuff.

I did find the first part of the book a little difficult to get into, and it took me a while to work out the significance of the Icelandic eruption right at the beginning, but once the story took off, I could not put this book down. The wild and wind-swept Highland landscape comes across so well, that you can almost feel yourself battling through the elements alongside the characters.

I loved the creepy thread that plays out throughout the story - who is the murderer? What do they want? - as the tension ramps up to the very exciting climax, which has a twist I certainly did not see coming.

Deadly Prospects is a thoroughly enjoyable historical mystery, which really opened my eyes to the events that happened during this time period in Sutherland.
I am really looking forward to reading Brogar and Sholto's next adventure, Burning Secrets, to see what else Clio Gray can teach me!

[Julie Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very different and refreshing, combining as it did very detailed, historical issues and a gripping mystery. I’m not sure I have read a book that felt quite so like a fascinating history lesson and an intriguing crime puzzle at the same time.

The author chose a time period and location in which to set the book that I have never come across used in a fictional mystery before, the Highlands of Scotland around the time of the Clearances. I have always been fascinated by Scottish history and the plot really intrigued me, which is why I applied for the blog tour in the first place, but I got far more than I was expecting with this book. The level of historical detail was impressive, I learnt a huge amount about emigration between Scotland and Scandanavia that I had never known before, but it was woven into the book so cleverly that it did not feel like it was detracting from the plot in any way, but only enhancing it.

The book really captured the hardship and bleakness of the period and location, remote as it was, and barren, and the struggles that the people had to try and hang on to their homes and scratch out a living in the face of adversity, both natural and man-made. The characters were well drawn and compelling and I was completely pulled in to the story and held captive while it played out. I found it sinister and disturbing, and I did not see the twists it was going to take coming at all.

The author is clearly passionate about the topic she is writing about and has taken a great deal of time and care in researching this book before writing it. The depth and breadth of the research that has gone into it can only be a labour of love and I think this shines through in the writing. The book affected me more than I expected, and was one of those happy surprises that come along rarely, an un-hyped book that exceeds expectations and takes you places you never saw coming but swept you away. I highly recommend this for lovers of great historical fiction.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good mystery, and this one set in Scotland in the late nineteenth century is full of atmosphere, historical detail, mysterious occurrence and realistic characters.

If you have a love literary fiction, this story will appeal, it's not commercial fiction. The plot is complex and the characters historically authentic. There is so much historical detail, to let you see how it was to live in this place, at this time, that it slows to pace, and makes the story difficult to get into to.

The first part of the story set in Iceland is dramatic, full of vivid imagery and shocking. I expected the rest of the book to be similar in pace and impact, but truthfully, the pace didn't find this level again, until the final chapters. When the story regained the adrenaline-inducing impact of the first part.

The mystery is complex and interesting, the connection with the first part is tied up nicely at the end. The setting is well -described, you can feel the desperation, isolation and poverty the workers felt when their livelihood was taken away. Solveig and her counterparts are well written and in the end, you feel the sadness of what has gone before, whilst feeling there is hope for the future. The mystery holds its secrets until the end, which is exciting and menacing.

I received a copy of this book from Urbane Publications in return for an honest review/

[Melisende · Rating 4 out of 5]

With each book, Gray tempts us - the reader - with a story peppered with well researched historical fact and a carefully woven plot, that like the dangerous quicksand of the Solway Firth mudflats, can suck the reader in unawares, escape being nigh on impossible.

for full review of the series >>> Melisende's Library

[Mrs Susan J Bociek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six stars if I could

What a book. Brilliantly written, the landscape and characters come to life. I felt the cold, the desolation and misery; I was cheered by the snatches of warmth and humour. An epic tale of sorts with its roots in reality. I recommend this book though it is hard to put down when daily life intervenes. I will read it again.

[Jackie Bouvier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Descriptive, tricky and historical

I loved the the author’s descriptions. She made it feel like you are there with the sights, sounds and most of all, smells. Occasionally confusing who the narrative is about.

Tricky; you really have to pay attention to the details to be able to guess who the villain is.

[richard m dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highland twist

The book takes you on a trail that leads you to one thought and then turns your thinking on its head. Well written and holds your interest right up to the end and even then leaves a variety of options open.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not usually one for historical fiction but this is a mystery- there is no bodice ripping and it is quite well done. The characters are believable and have their own charms. The setting feels quite real.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very slow beginning, almost dnf but stuck it out for a monthly book challenge...ended up being alright in the end.

[Colin Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralling

Makes me want to go and walk that land and see the mine workings and row the loch. A masterpiece of historical storytelling befitting a Shaunacy.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical murder mystery in the Scottish highlands. Explores the close connections between the Highlands and the far north of Scandinavia.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant historical crime story, really really enjoyed it. Enjoyed the historical details and adventures. Now on my 3rd book of the authors!

[Alex Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

This historical thriller, literally has a volcanic opening!

1855 , Iceland and a volcano is spewing its contents out, creating the scene for the story ahead.

Leading us to 1869 Sutherland Scotland , the setting for the book.

After years of hard living when a mining company closed the mines, the community is being awoken by a possible gold rush.

Sent by the Pan-European mining company, Sholto McKay and Brogar Finn arrive to examine the possibilities..

When a body is found in the mines a cleverly written story of archaeology,murder, old languages, and religious cults follow.

Interesting, well-developed characters and locations that are beautifully described, fromIceland to the highlands.

An intelligent, highly researched, strongly plotted historical thriller.

3.5🔥🔥🔥