The Stolen Hours by Karen Swan – is the second of her five-book historical series called The Wild Isle, which are based on the dramatic evacuation of the Scottish island of St Kilda in the summer of 1930.
During the previous summer, before the evacuation was known, Mhairi MacKinnon’s father realises that he can’t support all of his large family. Mhairi, as the eldest daughter, must find a husband.
Unfortunately for Mhairi, options are limited on the small isle of St Kilda. Their neighbour, Donald, however, knows of a business acquaintance on the distant isle of Harris, who is in need of a spouse. Donald is persuaded by Mhairi’s father to accompany her to Harris and introduce her to the young man. They must, however, leave right away before the wild autumn seas close their island from the outside world.
All appears to have gone well, when Mhairi returns home as an engaged woman, and celebrations with friends and family begin.
Mhairi, however, has not fallen in love with her fiance, but with a man who can never be hers. She lives in dread at the prospect of leaving home in the spring, when the sea is once more calm, to become the wife of a stranger she will never love. When word comes of the evacuation of St Kilda in a few months time, however, the lovers are able to enjoy a few months’ reprieve that summer. At the risk of discovery, they spend stolen hours together.
Unfortunately, during those last days on St Kilda, there will be unexpected trauma and heartache for Mhairi and her friends, Effie and Flora. And, when later, a dead body is discovered on the abandoned isle, all three find themselves under the shadow of suspicion!
Another intriguing novel in this wonderful series featuring the three friends, and, of course, the wonderful Wild Isle of St Kilda. Mhairi’s story is set against the backdrop, not only of the topography of the island itself, but also of the harsh, primitive lifestyle of its human inhabitants. How they survived in those conditions is hard to process in these modern times, but survive they did!
As always, this marvellously talented author has delivered another “must read” novel!
ISBN: 9781529084429
The Stolen Hours is available in paperback and e-book.
About Karen Swan
Karen Swan is the Sunday Times top three bestselling author of twenty books and her novels sell all over the world. She writes two books each year – one for the summer period and one for the Christmas season. Previous summer titles include The Spanish Promise, The Hidden Beach and The Secret Path, and for winter, Together by Christmas, Midnight in the Snow and The Christmas Postcards. Also, her five-book historical series, The Wild Isle.
Leave a Reply