Turn of the Tide
Synopsis
Set in 16th century Scotland amidst an ancient feud between the Cunninghames and Montgomeries. Munro, owes allegiance to the Cunninghames, but is forced to choose between age old obligations and his growing friendship with members of the rival clan. The upshot of his decision has unforeseen and tragic consequences.
Author's Biography
Margaret Skea grew up in Ulster during the 'Troubles', but now lives in the Scottish Borders. Her degree in linguistics at St Andrews University and PhD into Ulster-Scots vernacular led to an interest in the history of the west of Scotland which inspired her novel Turn of the Tide.
Reviews
I thought the quality of the writing and the research were outstanding.
Jeffrey Archer on Alan Tichmarsh show
Reader Comments
Margaret Skea's command of the language is outstanding. Although the dialect was thick with Scots flavour and twists and turns of phrase, the story drew me in to another time, to my ancestor's time, allowing me to see, feel, hear, taste and touch cold, rainy reality of Scottish weather. Not to mention the enticement of Grizel, though she be a Montgomerie. The attention to detail bespeaks of obsession-compulsion to get every detail just right. Without said attention, the tale would be a mediocre one in my opinion.
Thank you, Margaret Skea for the turn inward and the look back see.
This book looks fantastic, and has so many elements that I find compelling: A historic setting, Scotland, intrigue, and adventure! I'm looking forward to reading it.
I have read Margaret's work, and enjoyed it. Her writing is vivid-you can almost smell and feel where the characters are, and she paints a clear picture of the trials and struggles in 16th century Scotland.
Great author
An excellent book. It has a worthy place on everybody's bookshelf
You are taken by the tide as the author sweeps you into a stark landscape and stark choices. Old loyalities are shattered and new ones forged in blood as the story of two warring clans unfolds with a realism that would have you believe you were present on those wind swept hills bearing witness to the turmoil of a by-gone age.
Historical fiction set in a time and place known to my ancestors is always of interest, especially when written by someone who knows how to use details and dialog to bring the action to life.
I have only read the excerpt. The tale seems well researched and with a good feel for the landscape. I was sad to see the Scots clans falling into violent altercations, but we know that this did occur and I hope the rest of the book reads a little lighter. The characters come across as real people, sympathetic and with their own reasons for behaving as they do.
Of all the literary genres, historical fiction is the most difficult, requiring not just the skills of a storyteller, but a historian's attention to accurate detail. Like an artist before a bare canvas, the writer applies color, shape and shadow with both broad and tiny application. Margaret Skea wields words like brushes to create image wedded with story. She daringly takes on the tangled web of 16th century Scotland and its politics. It is a temptation for a writer to show off hard earned knowledge, to the detriment of the story. Skea avoids this trap and the common tendency to reduce the story into a maudlin tale of leaky emotions. It's a good read and well worth the investment of time and money
Lyrical and beautiful prose that transport the reader to be a participant rather than observer. Wonderful.
I have read only the excerpt open to this year's competition, for I live in Canada, and can only buy the print copy in England.
What I read is magnificent. As a writer, and as a demanding and exacting editor, I am almost impossible to please at first reading.
Turn of the Tide is written by a master writer and storyteller. This is obvious from page one.
A very excellent serious writer of historical fiction, whose work I hope to see appreciated properly in the near future !
Wonderfully written and obviously meticulously researched, holding my attention and wanting to read on. Historical novels would not be my normal genre to read but this has grabbed my attention especially in that as well as the as the story itself, significant weight and believability is added to the conversations through clever descriptions of the context, places and characters themselves. A real pager turner - but more than that!
enjoyed every word, a book well worth reading
Enjoyed every page
thank you
Superb
The opening lines are pictorial, immediate, and the author easily invites the reader into the situation. There is an aura of urgency and importance. A facet of Munro's character is revealed in his insistent yet gentle urging-on of his horse. The reader can guess as to the integrity of Munro's character. The momentum of the story carries the reader along, and I like particularly the overlaying swiftness and silence of events, with just enough dialogue to keep the momentum. To be highly recommended in its genre.
Lovely, flowing writing and good to have a novel in this genre set outside London and the royal court. Margaret Skea writes entertainingly and convincingly about a subject she clearly knows inside out. More, please!
This is a real page-turner! Excellent research and descriptive writing reveals a fascinating insight into the precarious life of the late 16th century Scots and the unenviable moral decisions which had to be made. Please can we have a sequel to find out how Munro and his family fare going into the 17th century?
I love the style of Margaret's writing in this book. It draws the reader effortlessly into the story.
This enjoyable work of fiction is well supported with historical fact. The characters are well defined and real. There is a good use of local dialect and description of places which makes you feel that you could visualise clearly being in Scotland in the 1600's.
I enjoyed the building tension within the story and was impressed that the end was not predictable. A book I d certainly will, and have already recommended to others.
I enjoyed reading The Turn of the Tide. It was a new period of history for me and I added new knowledge of it. The characterization was excellent. I am very much in favor of a style of historical fiction which includes an imaginary protagonist with historical supporting characters. Descriptions and locales seemed to be accurate portrayals of Jacobean Scotland. I am looking forward to the next Margaret Skea novel.
I really enjoyed the warmth!
Really great read, wonderfully poetic in style from the first line. Margaret Skea sure does have the gift of description down to a fine art.
Wonderful details bring the story to life.
A very colourful and insightful account of Scotland and the Ayrshire clans - a good read and wonderful descriptive quality
The reader is swept backwards from page one to the 16th century, on horseback or in a castle, the cold wind howling around. The tale is pacey and engrossing. It is beautifully crafted: a must-read.
Within a page or two the characters come to life; their language, thoughts and emotions all real. The background fascinating. The prose and writing style most vivid and well done.. So nice to be transported to another place and time when reading a good book. This is a good book.
One of the most impressive historical novels set in Scotland I've ever read. Creative imagination and extensive research brilliantly blended in a compelling narrative. Clearly realised characters and locations. Personal relationships of drama and poignancy, political intrigue, nail-biting adventure and heart-breaking moments.
For me the drama picked up pace and had me hooked with the ending of part 2, now I await the next installment, what happens to the family??
A refreshing look at a work of historical fiction. The author uses her words impeccably and brings us into the time and place with ease and grace. Looking forward to more from this author!
Do yourself a favour - read this book asap - it's an emotional rollercoaster
Impressive presentation of the times and situation, tensions well portrayed with great attention to historical detail.
Great read - thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to more.
A great read for anyone interested in Scotland &history.
A beautifully written and hauntingly eloquent novel set amidst a turbulent landscape as wild as the characters that inhabit it. 'Turn of the Tide', brought the beauty and savagery of Scotland right into my living room, I simply couldn't put it down. A wonderful read, highly recommended!
Interesting and authentic
An atmospheric story about the Scottish clans and the family feuds that sculpted their lives
Gripping storyline and rich historical setting. Most enjoyable read
Delicious prose!
Brilliant
I absolutely love reading historical fiction, especially such based in Scotland. It was my lifelong wish to visit the borders and the highlands and I was able to do so eight years ago. Such memories I have of the settings I visited. I long to visit again one day. Margaret Skea's writings will, in the meantime, continue to feed my soul.
An excellent read that I would be happy to recommend to anyone.
Beautifully written book that brings time and place to life
This book is excellent historical fiction - it draws you in and keep your interest to the last page. The feel of the book is authentic and one is transported to ancient Scotland easily. The characterisations are excellent as is the beautiful flowing descriptive prose.
A real page-turner and highly recommended.
A writer to watch!
Wonderful to read, looking forward to reading more
excellent period detail
I cross my fingers.
Fantastic excerpt. Congratulations, Margaret!!
I always enjoy Scottish historical fiction but I especially enjoyed this book.
Much impressed by the detail and knowledge of 16th Century customs.
Gripping story line and rich historical setting. Most enjoyable read
Evokes the turbulent clan rivalry of this period of Scottish history.
The language and customs of the time have been well researched.
I read the Turn of the Tide with avid interest, fascination and much enjoyment throughout and eagerly look forward to a sequel, which I am sure will be more than up to the standard of this remarkable book.
As a Munro myself, I heartily endorse O'Shea's book.
thanks,
L. Monroe Meadows
Excellent historical novel - believable characters, a wealth of well-researched detail, and a cracking pace. I was involved from the start and enjoyed learning about this period of Scottish history. A great debut for Margaret Skea - I look forward to reading the sequel.
Rich sense of time and place. The relationship with the horses set the tone for a world familiar to few these days, but easily imagined through Margaret's compelling storytelling.
Terrific!
Excellently researched and brilliantly written.
.An interesting well written book, a very good read.
Thoroughly enjoyed this carefully woven story.
An absorption in Scotland's past, splendidly written.
A wonderful story. Would like to read more by this author.
Excellent attention to period detail
An atmospheric novel set in a little explored era of Scottish history, where the men are torn between clan loyalty and personal friendship and the women are simply desperate to keep their children safe from the violence that can erupt at any moment.
Margaret Skia won the Neil Gunn Short story competition several years ago. I am delighted that she has gone ahead and written a book. Having read the excerpt it looks very promising to me and I am delighted to give it my backing. Margaret has found her own voice and that is so essential to a writer.
An outstanding piece of historical fiction. Well researched with a fascinating storyline and dramatic climax. You can practically 'smell' the period authenticity. Put all this in the mix and deliver it with skilful writing and you have a wonderful read.
This is an exceptional piece of dramatic and formidable writing using a perfect balance of facts and fiction to bring history to life. The factual historic setting and feuding between the families pulls you into the story enveloping you in their lives and situations. The author's great exactitude in the times, region and events is outstanding and leaves the reader in no doubt as to the difficulties and extremes that people faced as well as bringing out the depth of happiness and contentment these souls had. Introducing a fictional family into an historical event shows even greater nerve and dexterity to the author being a daring and great writer, who can immerse her readers in such away that the book flows and breathes the lives of the characters as if you were there with them. The book leaves you waiting for the next installment of the lives in the families you have grown to know well.
Fabulous read. Takes you on a journey to a fascinating time and world from the beginning to an inspirational end
Brilliantly researched.
A compelling and complex read. Beautifully crafted.
Elegant prose, rich characterisation, thorough research, dramatic ending - "Turn of the Tide" is worth reading again.
Margaret Skea is a delight - she has both the skill and the knowledge to make history come alive. I love it!
I have unequivocally shared my impression of this artistic work on Amazon and Clan Cunningham sites of worth for the convenience of the general public.
Clan Cunningham Chairman,
Larry Augsbury
An exciting, well-researched page-turner -- characters you sweat for and tons of nail-biting action!
great story world and characters.
A well written book. The writer employs a distinctive and delightful Scottish diction to great effect; we enter the period and place with ease. We learn lots about the times but not at the expense of plot and character which drive the story engaging the reader. The opening chapters are visceral and quickly hook the reader introducing a character who gains our sympathy and respect in difficult times.
This is an excellent piece of historical fiction, which I reviewed for the Eildon Tree magazine.
Well researched and a gripping story
I was very quickly drawn in to the book. The writing is of the highest standard, but more importantly for me, it's a page-turner. I was very impressed with the setting, and felt a real sense of place. very enjoyable, and highly recommended.
Mark Leggatt
An excellent first historical novel by an obviously talented author. I look forward to a follow-up.
I learned so much about 16th century Scotland that I hadn't known before, especially about King James and the various tensions and factions surrounding court life. A fascinating read!
Excellent historical novel, well-written and with a fine feel for the troubled atmosphere of late 16th century Scotland. Looking forward to the next two volumes in the trilogy.
Impeccable research and a love of her subject which is infectious.
Raymond Nickford
Margaret has a beautiful way with words and this novel is no exception. This book showcases her firm grasp of the history of her native lands and I adore that cover too!
A very authentic period piece with wonderful language and rich description.
Margaret Skea writes Scottish historical fiction beautifully, mining a rich seam of dramatic to compose a compelling and enjoying narrative
A great read.
Beautifully written. Could not put it down. Terrific ending - didn't see it coming.
This is a real page turner and I can unhesitatingly recommend it. It gives a colourful and fascinating insight into life (and death) in a period that is rarely portrayed in historical fiction.
Margaret's novel captures the era so well it was a shame to come back to the 21st century again!
I read Turn of the Tide about 6 months ago. It is well researched, well written, and a fascinating story. I enjoyed it thoroughly and learned a lot about Scotland in the process. I recommend it.
Thoroughly enjoyed the first two chapters and am ordering Turn of the Tide today. Fantastic writing!
Fascinating, well researched story that is not only about a family feud but about personal relationships.
Excellent underlying research and a well-crafted story.
Anyone who reads the first two chapters is going to be eager to read the rest of the book. Suspenseful, well researched, and well written. 22
Beautifully written in a style that perfectly fits the time. Couldn't be more pleased.
Beautifully written with such consummate research, attention to detail whilst never deviating from the telling of a dramatic story - every word counts in this novel, a rare skill in a writer. Highly recommended.
The author is obviously in command of her material, is sensitive to the use of language, and can make the reader care what happens.
Written so gracefully and poignant that the reader is immediately drawn into the realm of another world (and happily so). Beautiful, accurate, and richly infused prose; if the rest of the book is as magnificent as the sample, a masterpiece.
Great work
First impressions are important and I was immediately drawn into this story by a marked sense of atmosphere. When you draw pictures with your words it must be subtle and that is what the writer has managed here.
The book is clearly researched and it shows. Follow that with an fascinating insight into Scottish rivalry, dark forces and drama abundant in the era, add good solid writing and no lover of this genre can fail to enjoy such a tale.
Authentically researched and grippingly narrated stories that draw on the rich and often violent heritage of Scots history, as does Margaret Skea's 'Turn of the Tide', are a welcome addition to the repertoire of quality historical fiction.
Gripping story. Well researched.
This is a terrific story. The first few chapters reward patient reading and lead into a world beautifully described; scenes claustrophobic with danger and suspense and finely drawn relationships between family members.
Hope there will be a sequel.
love the cover.
i really enjoyed reading this book
A gorgeous cover, awesome reviews, an EXCELLENT story - what more could I ask for?
An authentic and powerful novel of 16th Century Scotland. The writing is outstanding and the historical perspective gripping. A must read!
The writing flows and keeps the reader interested, through the story’s immediate sense of urgency and drama, with the writer’s knowledge of horses adding to the authenticity and depiction of the historical setting. The writer makes the reader want to know more and to turn the pages. This continues to be the case, through the description of political and family connivances, the more one reads. I enjoyed the extract very much and found it to be a very worthy book indeed.
Excellent!
Margaret Skea maintains the high standard one expects of her. A very worthwhile read and an interesting and clearly portrayed picture of the turbulent times prevalent in the16th century.
Description, characters, sense of place and emotional depth - this would make a great film.
An excellent read with a very good sense of time and place. The story of Munro's moral dilemma and his family's tragedy is engaging and told with sensitivity, set against the wider backdrop of the political situation in Scotland and beyond. Lots of authentic details help bring the period alive.
This is a powerful book with a vivid sense of place and beautiful language.
This period of Scottish history is much neglected in fiction, so a book like this is especially welcome. Margaret Skea has made an excellent job of weaving a story around actual events, portraying the detail of the daily life in a way which feels very authentic and her main characters, Munro and his wife Kate come across as real people with whom it's very easy for the reader to empathise. The story rattles along, and as the book reaches its climax it's very difficult to put down. There are a lot of characters, and it's well worth investing a bit of extra time in the early chapters being sure who's who, but a list at the front of the book and descriptions of each character's role is extremely helpful. The book's ending suggests a sequel might be underway - I do hope so!
The opening sequence of this book is beautifully crafted and elegantly handled. A very enjoyable, well-informed read which appeals beyond its topic.
A great story beautifully told. An excellent debut dealing with a period of history that's been woefully under-used.