From the Winner of the Barbara Hammond Trophy and Amazon BESTSELLING Author

‘Historical Fiction at its absolute best.’ Booklymatters

‘By the end...I find myself hoping for a sequel, which shows how much I enjoyed this excellent novel.' Historical Novel Society Review

Scotland 1546. Seeking revenge for the burning of a young preacher, a group of Protestant lairds take St Andrews Castle by stealth, and kill Cardinal Beaton, the nation's most powerful man.

Will is among them—young, zealous, and unprepared for the brutal siege that follows. As hunger and fear take hold within the castle walls, Will desperately clings to his cause.

His sister Bethia watches the chaos unfold from the town outside. With their family’s future hanging by a thread, she must choose: turn her back on the brother who could bring them ruin, or risk everything to help him.

But this is not just a struggle between sister and brother, it’s about the choices a nation must make as Henry VIII coerces from across the border, determined the infant Mary Queen of Scots will marry his son, and Scotland's alliance with France is invoked.

This award wining novel closely follows the events of the siege of St Andrews Castle in Scotland, and its dramatic re-taking.

A clever blend of fact and fiction…gripping action, drama galore, and a dash of romance.' Margaret Skea, Winner of the Beryl Bainbridge Prize

'I highly recommend this intriguing novel.' Jean M Roberts, The Books Delight

‘Kept me page turning till the wee sma’ hours.’

'The darker side of St Andrews Castle’s history, written with such delightful detail I could almost taste and smell the medieval streets of the historic town.' Lynsey Maxwell