In the 18th century shotgun weddings were not unusual, but in most cases it wasn't the bride that was holding the gun. So began the stormy marriage between Lord and Lady Grange, a marriage which was to end with Lady Grange's death on the Isle of Skye after 13 years in exile. The daughter of a convicted murderer, Lady Grange's behaviour, such as her fondness for drink, was so outrageous that her sudden disappearance from public life was not considered surprising. But few knew the true story of her disappearance. This book reveals, for the first time, how the unfortunate lady was violently kidnapped and transported to the remote islands off the west coast of Scotland, spending seven years on the island of St. Kilda. Condemned to a very different lifestyle than she had enjoyed in Edinburgh, and baffled by the strange tongue of the Gaelic West, she still obstinately survived, finally dying in Skye in 1745.

The daughter of a renowned murderer, Lady Grange was hardly a conventional 18th-century lady. This engaging account reveals the true story of her political ties, fondness for drink, violent kidnapping, and struggle for survival.

*SHORTLISTED FOR THE RNA HISTORICAL ROMANCE AWARD 2021* *LONGLISTED FOR THE HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE 2020* 'Desperately romantic, lyrically written and with a fascinating plot' Katie Fforde Chrissie Gillies comes from the last ever community to live on the beautiful, isolated Scottish island of St Kilda. Evacuated in 1930, she will never forget her life there, nor the man she loved and lost who visited one fateful summer a few years before. Fred Lawson has been captured, beaten and imprisoned in Nazi-controlled France. Making a desperate escape across occupied territory, one thought sustains him: find Chrissie, the woman he should never have left behind on that desolate, glorious isle. The Lost Lights of St Kilda is a sweeping love story that crosses oceans and decades, and a testament to the extraordinary power of hope in the darkest of times. 'A gorgeous, melancholy love story.' The Times 'An undeniably haunting love story.' Sunday Times

This text is based on a collection of photographs belonging to the late Lachlan MacDonald, who was born on St Kilda in 1906, left at the evacuation in 1930, and died in 1991. They include many images never before published of life on St Kilda before and after the evacuation.

The Mystery of a Hansom Cab (1886) is a mystery novel by Fergus Hume. An immediate bestseller for Hume, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab is a gripping novel with an atmospheric intensity and tightly wound mystery worthy of the best of Victorian fiction. Published the year before Arthur Conan Doyle’s debut, A Study in Scarlet (1887), Hume’s novel became the first international bestseller to be published in Australia. Adapted countless times for film, theater, radio, and television, The Mystery of a Hansom Cab is a classic detective story and a landmark in Australian literature. In Melbourne, Australia, a cabman stops to pick up a presumably drunk passenger. Helped into the cab by an unknown man, who claims to be a friend, the gentleman settles in for the ride homeward. Accustomed to such things, especially in the darkness of early morning, the cabman begins his ride. When he asks his passenger for directions, however, he receives no response, and turns to find that the man is dead. He drives straight to the local police station, where Detective Gorby begins his investigation. Was the friend in fact the murderer, or was he simply a good Samaritan who believed he was helping a drunk man make it home? When the killer is discovered, however, the mystery remains. Over the story looms the shadow of the Frettlby family, whose secrets threaten to smother all of Melbourne. The Mystery of a Hansom Cab is a masterpiece of slow-burning suspicion between the rich and the poor, a story of law and those willing to break it. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Fergus Hume’s The Mystery of a Hansom Cab is a classic of Australian mystery and detective fiction reimagined for modern readers.

This early work by Fergus Hume was originally published in 1886 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab' is a tricky tale set in Australia and is Hume's most famous crime novel. Fergusson Wright Hume was born on 8th July 1859 in England, the second son of Dr. James Hume. The family migrated to New Zealand where Fergus was enrolled at Otago Boys' High School, and later continued his legal and literary studies at the University of Otago. Hume returned to England in 1888 where he resided in London for a few years until moving to the Essex countryside. There he published over 100 novels, mainly in the mystery fiction genre, though none had the success of his début work.

Fergus Hume's 'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab' is a classic thriller that takes readers on a suspenseful journey through the dark underbelly of 19th century Melbourne. Written in an engaging and fast-paced style, the novel is often considered one of the early examples of the detective genre, showcasing intricate plot twists and cleverly crafted characters. Hume's intricate use of suspense and mystery keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end, making it a riveting read for all mystery enthusiasts. The novel's vivid depictions of the Australian colonial society add depth and richness to the story, giving readers a glimpse into a bygone era filled with intrigue and deception. Fergus Hume, a British author, drew inspiration for 'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab' from a real-life murder case in Melbourne, which captured the public's imagination at the time. His unique blend of realism and imagination sets him apart as a pioneering figure in the detective fiction genre. Hume's attention to detail and complex storytelling make his work a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers to this day. For fans of classic thrillers and detective fiction, Fergus Hume's 'The Mystery of a Hansom Cab' is a must-read. With its gripping storyline, well-developed characters, and intricate plot twists, this novel has stood the test of time as a masterpiece of the genre. Hume's compelling narrative and ability to keep readers guessing until the very end make this book a thrilling and satisfying read for anyone looking for a captivating mystery.