MORISTOUN.

MORISTOUN by KEVIN MCALLION.

BACK COVER BLURB: McSorely has had enough. His life has spiralled out of control and nothing has gone his way. There seems to be only one option open to him, one last thing he can do to take control of his fate. All hope is lost.

But far away on the mysterious island of Moristoun, Buchan is charged with the task of dissuading McSorely from this drastic course of action. Moristoun is where people like McSorely might end up, having exchanged one kind of hopelessness for another. A glimpse of the life' he might be heading for might change McSorely's opinion of his own existence, but a glimpse of the entrancing Gail behind the bar in the pub and a hint about Moristoun's true nature could render all of Buchan's efforts to rehabilitate the despairing McSorely equally hopeless.

FIRST SENTENCE {Chapter One: Defender Of The Realm}: Buchan prided himself on giving clients his full attention but it was hard not to let his mind wander as Hogg babbled away while fidgeting in his seat.

MEMORABLE MOMENT {Page 15}: Farqhuar had to admit Buchan had a point as his patience now regularly snapped during induction meetings. The dictionary that sat on his desk was falling to pieces due to the number of times it had been launched at "slavering illiterates" so he could understand Buchan's need to immerse himself in the patois of these cyber Scots.

SOURCE: Received for review from the author.

MY THOUGHTS: Hmm, an island where Scottish people are sent when they have committed suicide. An island on which resides William Hughes who may or may not secure his release by helping Scots intent on killing themselves.

Deep and dark, yes. And yet also surprisingly humorous and uplifting given that at the heart of the story is suicide. Of the 44 novels I've read so far this year, one of my firm favourites. I cannot begin to tell you how refreshing it is to find a novel with a bit of a difference and Moristoun is nothing if not a novel with a difference. 

Such a great premise and one which the author in this, his debut novel, carries off well, extremely well. Kevin McAllion not only writes well BUT he also tells a great story - something which I have found doesn't always go hand in hand. And oh my goodness, what characters! And as for the ending? A novel I could see ending several ways, thankfully, incredibly touching and true to the rest of the story, it didn't disappoint.

I long to tell you more about Moristoun but am struggling to do so for fear of spoilers so will leave you with the thought that here is a book well worth the read. Kevin McAllion an author I shall certainly be keeping a look out for.