In 1568, the defeat of Mary, Queen of Scots at the Battle of Langside,
and her subsequent flight to England left Scotland a troubled nation.

Mary's infant son was crowned James VI, with her illegitimate
half-brother, the earl of Moray, as Regent. The population remained
bitterly divided as Moray and the Protestant Lords began to wreak their
terrible vengeance on supporters of the losing side.

Having fought for the Queen at the battle, the Carmichaels of
Lanarkshire were in a precarious position, to say the least.
Nineteen-year-old John Carmichael, younger of that ilk, whose sole
ambitions were land-improvement, organising fishing and raising a
family, was to become deeply entangled in the murky world of Scots
regency government, is forced into a world of treachery and intrigue,
and finds himself in great danger...

A gripping tale of 16th century Scotland by Nigel Tranter, master of
Scottish historical fiction.

Read More