Can a family thrive after the death of a domineering patriarch?

Buckie, Scotland 1912

One year after Weem Lowrie’s death, his wife Jess and children are still living in his shadow, bound by the strict decisions he imposed when he was alive.

Eldest son James and his sister Bethany are trapped in marriages arranged to bolster the value of the family’s fishing business. Youngest son, Innes, struggles with the memory of his father’s disapproval over his failure to become a fisherman.

James longs to take over as skipper of the family fishing boat, The Fidelity, rather than working for his uncle. Bethany dreams of escaping from her role as a wife and stepmother to two young children and Innes longs for acceptance and respect from his siblings and to be seen as a man. But pursuing these aims only seems to invite new conflict into their lives.

And when Jess’s childhood sweetheart returns to Buckie, his attempts to help the family using his wealth and influence seem destined to cause even more chaos.

Storytelling at its best, Evelyn Hood is the original bestselling Scottish saga writer 💫

Previously published as The Shimmer of the Herring

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'Compelling from the start, heartfelt and beautifully written.' - Rosie Clarke
'An engrossing read, I loved it and am sure you will too' - Fenella J. Miller
'If you like Catherine Cookson, you’ll love Evelyn Hood’s books.’ - Lizzie Lane
‘Evelyn Hood’s characters step off the page and into your heart.’ - Sheila Riley
‘This is addictive and heartfelt storytelling, with colourful characters you'll never want to say goodbye to.’ - Jane Lark
'Wonderfully descriptive, with memorable characters and a true sense of place.' - Tracy Baines
'Faultless historical detail and emotionally complex characters makethese engrossing and intelligent Evelyn Hood's sagas deeply satisfying' - Maisie Thomas
‘Evocative, beautifully rich, brilliantly detailed and meticulously researched - this story transported me and kept me up way past my bedtime - a triumph of a story. I very highly recommend Evelyn Hood’ – Renita D’Silva

'Scotland's Catherine Cookson' - Scots Magazine

‘Hood is immaculate in her historical detail’ - Scottish Herald

'Quite simply, I couldn't put it down. A rich and rewarding read' - Emma Blair

'Evelyn Hood has been called Scotland's Catherine Cookson. Unfair. She has her own distinctive voice' - Scots Magazine

‘Touching, romantic and unforgettable’ - Reader Review

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‘Evelyn Hood produces the best of stories’ - Reader Review

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‘Love everything Evelyn Hood writes’ - Reader Review

‘Evelyn Hood is a fantastic writer, bringing the past to life and drawing you right into the story’ - Reader Review