Title: A Dagger for Catherine Douglas
Author: Euan MacPherson
Publisher: Menzies and Wood Publishing
ISBN: 1912750007
Pages: 391
Genre: Mystery / Historical Fiction
Revier: Barbara Bamberger Scott
Pacific Book Review
Author Euan MacPherson skillfully interweaves historical annals with bold imaginative detail to create the saga of Catherine Douglas, a bold woman struggling with duties, loves, suspicions and fear in his book, A Dagger for Catherine Douglas.
The tale opens in the mid-1400s, In Scotland, where Douglas serves as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Joan of Scots. Her job was distinguished, as she had not only to see obvious, physical details of the royal’s daily needs but also to provide comfort and counsel. She would marry well by arrangement, once the growing menace within the royal realm was staunched: someone was plotting the death of King James I, slowly but inarguably making undeniable the danger to all. Catherine was caught in the complex entanglement, while also struggling with personal problems, warned by her mother, Lady Douglas, against “getting ideas above your station.” She meets and will gradually become drawn to the mysterious Sean Campbell, who has come to the King’s court to deliver what he claims to be an innocent message from the Earl of Atholl. Campbell will be drawn into a scheme in which he will be seen by some as a trusted ally, and by others as a possible threat to the King and the royal family. Catherine, perceptive and ever curious to uncover facts hidden in subterfuge, will take on roles she never anticipated, and find ample room in her heart for Campbell, a man she has come to trust after he saves her from a rapacious attacker. But is her life in peril even as she seeks to aid and protect those around her?
MacPherson, a distinguished Scottish author, journalist and college lecturer, here moves the characters on this fascinating chessboard deftly, with numerous details taken from what was clearly diligent research. Introduced on nearly every page are examples of appropriately aged specifics: men’s shirts made of “mail,” exotic silks imported from Venice, clay jugs and dandelion wine. The realities and speculations behind his well-drawn panorama are juggled and balanced as the reign of James I, the intentions of Atholl, the ambitions of Clan Douglas, the courageous, crucial acts of Catherine, along with the possibly divided loyalties of other characters involved are scrupulously, fairly explored. Macpherson’s latest, well-crafted creation of ancient loves and losses will doubtless enthrall his modern fan base and draw new readers into his literary fold.
Perfect for fans of literary fiction rooted in real events.
