One of several historical romances written by Sir John: in the vein of âWitch Wood,â âThe Blanket of the Dark,â âThe Dancing Floor,â and âJohn Burnet of Barns.â In this he provides the reader with a story of intrigue, deceit, and treason: all tangential to the failed Jacobite Cause in 18th century England. The novel is replete with names of locations in Scotland and northern England; you will be crying for a map to retain your own orientation. Also, some characters are so rich in the Scotch dialog that you will be screaming for a translator (It reminds me of Stevenson's âMerry Men.â). The chief protagonist is a conundrum. From the onset we are made to sympathize with the Cause and with his pursuit of traitors to it. Yet, is he not a traitor himself to the king? I suppose that he is as his side was the loser. But, what of those that he unmasked? Their separate fates left me less than sated. None the less, as a stalwart Buchan fan, I persisted to the end.

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