Book Description

On the remote and rain-soaked coast of Argyll, widow Iona is doing all she can to keep the elements—and bankruptcy—at bay. Her ancient family castle is crumbling, her finances are collapsing, and her children—scattered across the globe with creative and impecunious lives—are unable or unwilling to help. As the pressure to sell the estate mounts, Iona fears not just the loss of her ancestral home, but the destruction of the fragile ecosystem it shelters.Rare wildlife, including the elusive hen harrier, depend on the estate’s habitats and the family’s protection. But when one bird falls from the sky, apparently shot, the stakes become a matter of life-or-death—for both nature and legacy. Mysterious occurrences seem to reflect centuries-old curse and deepen the sense of unease.A wealthy neighbour’s interest in the land—and in Iona—complicates matters. Is his charm a lifeline or a threat? With time running out, Iona’s daughter, a fierce environmental activist, and her son, a struggling screenwriter, come up with a hair-brained scheme to save their heritage. Together, they must confront not only economic reality, but the spectres of the past—before the land, the wildlife, and their family’s story are lost forever.