McCluskey’s debut novel, The Wolf Tree, is an atmospheric and gripping thriller set on a remote Scottish island, where isolation and secrets run deep. From the first page to the last, this story holds you in its thrall.
When young Alan Ferguson is found dead at the base of a lighthouse, his drowning is presumed a suicide. Detectives Georgie Lennox and Richie Stewart are sent to investigate, but their arrival on Eilean Eader – a windswept island of only a few hundred residents – proves anything but routine. Stranded for four days due to an unrelenting storm, the detectives face hostility from the insular community, where even longtime mainland transplants remain outsiders.
As they dig deeper, they uncover a chilling link to a century-old mystery: the unexplained disappearance of three lighthouse keepers in 1918. The men’s journals hint at loneliness and despair, yet their fates remain unsolved. Meanwhile, the island’s present-day residents cling to their superstitions and traditions.
With only one shared phone line, a single communal computer, and the village pub and church as social hubs, the islanders are bound by isolation and an eerie sense of secrecy. The enigmatic pastor exerts an unsettling influence over his flock, adding to the tension.
As their departure nears, the detectives begin piecing together the intricate ties between past and present. On Eilean Eader, the truth follows its own rules, but will they survive to tell the story?
A masterfully crafted thriller set against a haunting landscape, this novel delivers a compelling mystery with an unforgettable twist.
Reviewed by Sue Stanbridge
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura is a writer, editor and actor. As well as writing novels, she has penned several film and television projects for her production company Sibylline Films. Laura is also co-founder of Three Fates Theatre Company, and has performed across theatre, film, and television. The Wolf Tree is her debut novel. She lives in Naarm/Melbourne.
0 Comments