Death of a Chief by Douglas Watt sampler
The year is 1686. Sir Lachlan MacLean, chief of a proud but poverty-striken Highland clan, has met with a macabre death in his Edinburgh lodgings. With a history of bad debts, family quarrels, and some very shady associates, Sir Lachlan had many enemies. But while motives are not hard to find, evidence is another thing entirely. It falls to lawyer John MacKenzie and his scribe Davie Scougall to investigate the mystery surrounding the death of the chief, but among the endless possibilities, can Reason prevail in a time of witchcraft, superstition and religious turmoil? This thrilling tale of suspense plays out against a wonderfully realised backdrop of pre-Enlightenment Scotland, a country on the brink of financial ruin, ruled from London, a country divided politically by religion and geography. The first in the series featuring investigative advocate John MacKenzie, Death of a Chief comes from a time long before police detectives existed.
The year is 1686. Sir Lachlan MacLean, chief of a proud but poverty-striken Highland clan, has met with a macabre death in his Edinburgh lodgings. With a history of bad debts, family quarrels, and some very shady associates, Sir Lachlan had many enemies. But while motives are not hard to find, evidence is another thing entirely. It falls to lawyer John MacKenzie and his scribe Davie Scougall to investigate the mystery surrounding the death of the chief, but among the endless possibilities, can Reason prevail in a time of witchcraft, superstition and religious turmoil?
This thrilling tale of suspense plays out against a wonderfully realised backdrop of pre-Enlightenment Scotland, a country on the brink of financial ruin, ruled from London, a country divided politically by religion and geography. The first in the series featuring investigative advocate John MacKenzie, Death of a Chief comes from a time long before police detectives existed.
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douglas watt was born in Edinburgh and brought up there and in<br />
Aberdeen. He was educated at the University <strong>of</strong> Edinburgh, where<br />
he gained an ma and phd in Scottish History. <strong>Douglas</strong> is the author<br />
<strong>of</strong> a series <strong>of</strong> historical crime novels set in late 17th century Scotland<br />
featuring investigative advocate John MacKenzie and his sidekick<br />
Davie Scougall. He is also the author <strong>of</strong> The Price <strong>of</strong> Scotland, a prizewinning<br />
history <strong>of</strong> Scotland’s Darien Disaster. He lives in Midlothian<br />
with his wife Julie.<br />
<strong>by</strong> the same author<br />
historical crime fiction:<br />
<strong>Death</strong> <strong>of</strong> a <strong>Chief</strong><br />
Testament <strong>of</strong> a Witch<br />
Pilgrim <strong>of</strong> Slaughter<br />
The Unnatural <strong>Death</strong> <strong>of</strong> a Jacobite<br />
history:<br />
The Price <strong>of</strong> Scotland<br />
<strong>Watt</strong> conjures up a pungent atmosphere <strong>of</strong> darkness and period detail.<br />
the herald<br />
A whodunnit satisfyingly rich in unfamiliar period detail.<br />
morning star<br />
Historical crime doesn’t come much better. Walking the streets <strong>of</strong> 17th<br />
century Edinburgh has never been so vivid.<br />
liam rudden<br />
Paints the period vividly in a gripping read.<br />
edinburgh evening news<br />
Think Rebus for the 17th century, in a tense mystery.<br />
scottish field<br />
<strong>Watt</strong> really sinks his teeth into the drama unfolding at the time… <strong>Watt</strong> is<br />
an intelligent writer. The strength and quality <strong>of</strong> his writing is maintained<br />
throughout the book, ensuring it remains an intriguing read.<br />
the courier & advertiser<br />
Move over Rebus. There’s a new – or should that be old – detective in<br />
town.<br />
i-on edinburgh on <strong>Death</strong> <strong>of</strong> a <strong>Chief</strong>
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