the spider and the stone
REVIEWS
the unwilling recruit
Covering the years
1296 to 1330, the
book brings to life
the struggles of
disparate and
often warring
Scottish clans to
name a king they
can all support
Glen Craney
while striving to
rid Scotland of
rule by the English kings Edward I, II,
and III. Robert the Bruce, James
Douglas, and William Wallace are
among the familiar Scots portrayed
here. We also meet Queen Isabella, wife
of Edward II, plus a myriad of other
characters including Edward II’s male
lovers, some interesting clerics, a group
of Knights Templar, and Isabelle
MacDuff, a Scotswoman who played an
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AN INTRIGUING
SUPERNATURAL
THRILLER
~Rosemary Fifield, TopShelf Reviews
No one should have survived.
Somehow, John did. After six
months of rehabilitation, John is
out of work and left with a horrific
disfigurement as a reminder of that
fateful day. Already close to the
edge of sanity, he is pushed further
when his deceased cameraman
pays him a visit. Two should have
died that day, yet one remains alive.
Why, and for what purpose? The
Unwilling Recruit by John Evans is
an intriguing and entrancing
supernatural thriller. Written with
immense descriptive detail, it
immediately captivates you from
the opening hook, and refuses to
release you until the very end. Built
with layer upon layer of mystery and
suspense, you will be furiously reading
through the pages, trying to discover
the truth between the lies.
important role in the crowning of
Robert Bruce. Glen Craney makes it
clear that he has fictionalized the details
and stories of historic characters about
whose personal lives little is known. He
has done extensive research, nicely
displayed in his use of the vernacular
and in his descriptions of countryside,
castles, and towers. The book moves
steadily and kept my unflagging interest,
much of that driven by Craney’s writing
style which fits the era in its elegance.
The book includes intricate battle
scenes based on real events, minor
love scenes, and some gore. Lovers of
castles and keeps, knights, and the
lore of Scottish clans will thoroughly
enjoy this well-written novel.
LOVERS OF CASTLES,
KEEPS, KNIGHTS, AND
SCOTTISH LORE WILL
ENJOY THIS NOVEL!
reviews
~Kris Miller, TopShelf Reviews
Journalist John Hunt is known for
taking any risk necessary to get the
story. That is
until his careless
ambition leads to
a hefty price.
Reporting in
Syria, John leads
his cameraman
Andrew three
miles out of the
safe zone. An
John Evans
explosion strikes.
TOPShelf magazine
HOLIDAY2017
51