The Lady in the Loch

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant, but somewhat predictable
Review: THE LADY IN THE LOCH, by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, takes us to early nineteenth century Edinburgh, where new construction and medical science battle with superstition and magic. Sir Walter Scott is the newly appointed sheriff of the city, a position more of esteem than actually responsibility. His vivid imagination leads him to believe the tales of the clever, vivacious gypsy, Midge Margret. She informs him of the disappearances of two other gypsy girls and of her fear that her "ain folk" are being murdered so their bodies could be sold to the University of Edinburgh medical school for research. What neither realizes is that something even darker than they could ever imagine is taking place, and that they will both be drawn into the middle of the horrifying nightmare.

Scarborough's novel blends history, folklore, and fantasy with touches of Frankenstein thrown in for good measure. The brogue can make reading slow going in places, especially when the dialect of the gypsies is represented. (It is easier to take in all of the phrases at once than to stop and guess at the meaning of each of the words.) The identity of the madman becomes evident fairly early in the book. But the author has drawn such vivid characters that concern and interest in them drive the reader rapidly to the conclusion. Also, the historically factual information about Edinburgh is fascinating. As Midge Margret's people are forced to take shelter in the city from the bitterly cold winter, she is appalled at the stench emanating from the town. Slops were tossed into the streets every night at 10:00 p.m.; overcrowding and lack of proper drainage meant that Edinburgh could be smelled by visitors eight miles away, prompting Midge Margret to exclaim at one point: "And they ca' us dirty."

Rating:
Summary: Murder mystery, horror story, historical novel
Review: This book is all of these things. One thing, though, the dialogue is written in dialect. While if I had known this, I probably wouldn't have gotten the book, I actually enjoyed the Scottish flavor. It's not so unitelligable that you lose the plot. Most of it is easy enough to understand, especially after being read out loud. Even if the dialogue can't be understood, the writing is so good, that the point is driven across anyway.

After all that, what is left is a look into a different society; a murder mystery where young gypsy girls are going missing, and a horror story where the dead rise to sccuse their killers, and a crazed doctor tries to assemble parts to bring his lover back to life.

A definite must read.

Rating:
Summary: A murder mystery with a real twist
Review: Walter Scott, lawyer, romantic author and newly appointed sheriff of Edinburgh, finds a mystery on his hands. The slowly draining Nor' Loch is giving up a collection of bones and bodies - recent bodies - incomplete bodies. And, when women begin disappearing, snatched right off the street, it becomes very worrying indeed. Someone is up to something hideous and diabolical, and Scott needs to get to the bottom of it!

I tripped across this book by accident, and boy am I glad! Ms. Scarborough spins a fascinating story of magic and murder, suspenseful and gripping. I must say that the book reminded me a lot of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein or Bram Stoker's Dracula; I think that it has many things in common with those classics of horror.

So, if you like a good old fashioned horror story, or a murder mystery with a real twist, then get this book, you won't be disappointed!


Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous, intriguing and scintillating! Keeps getting better
Review: Well, I for one enjoyed this book. It not only was my introduction to Walter Scott but to some of the history of Scotland. I found the Scottish brogue an absolute thrill to read and it really helped to take me to Edinborough. I was pleased to meet not only the gentleman sleuth (Walter Scott) but also the brave, strong and witty Midge Margaret. I enjoyed each new twist pulled into the plot and found that Ms. Scarborough somehow wonderfully managed to write of such horrid and frightening happenings in a suspenseful yet tasteful way instead of concentrating on blood and gore. This book left me wanting to learn more about Walter Scott, Scotland AND the many mysteries touched on within this book. Any book that spurs me on to read deeper into its subjects is a good book indeed!