Master of Morgana

by Allan Campbell McLean

Circumstances surrounding the return, unconscious and injured, of a young islander from a salmon-fishing station off the Isle of Skye causes his brother to sign on the same crew to unravel the mystery and its treachery in a suspenseful tale of the island, its people, and their lives.

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

Reviews

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that started it all-when I ran into it at a flea-market but wasn't sure whether or not I wanted to spend money on it, so I got it and the others via the library system ; and it was fantastic!
Niall's older brother, Rauri, is seriously injured in a fall from perilous bridge over a gorge, and at first Niall doesn't have much suspicion, except the fact that Rauri would never have fallen in the first place-then when a stranger tries to get his brother's clothes from the hospital, and pages from his diary are ripped out, his suspicions that foul play was at work are heightened, and he takes his brothers place on the fishing crew, to find out just what Rauri meant by "Morgana", and the mysterious numbers. Full of depth and realistic characters, it makes for a grand read!

[Allison Tebo · Rating 4 out of 5]

They simply don’t write clean intrigue like they used to. Beautifully written and with just enough intrigue and adventure to pique one’s interest. I was certain early on that I had figured out the mystery, only to keep turning the pages and be completely surprised. The descriptions are incredibly evocative and the reader is transported to the Isle of Skye – and in the misty hills, the rocky cliffs and waving grass – we are trapped in a mystery. In the echo and crash of the surf and the creak of the oars – we hear danger. Elements of the story were a “modern” day take (this book was written in the 1960s) on Treasure Island – with clever nods to the original woven in a natural and intriguing way throughout the novel, especially in regards to certain characters (I can say no more, due to spoilers). The story runs all the way to the very last page and ends with a twist that will illicit a gasp of surprise and a laugh of delight. Not to mention a great deal of head shaking. :)

[Naomi McCullough · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of all of McLean's works. It gives some of the elements of Treasure Island, with a delicious Irish backdrop, full of crashing waves and black rock.