With Christmas hoving into view, we’ll be posting reviews of some of the best books of 2020, (a few of which have appeared in different versions elsewhere – see bottom of the review*) and offering suggestions as to what to get the book lover in your life. Scottish literature has a long and distinguished tradition where the psychological meets the supernatural. From James Hogg and Robert Louis Stevenson in the 19th century, through the early 20th century writing of J.M. Barrie

For the latest podcast Ali spoke to the writer Tom Gillespie about The Strange Book of Jacob Boyce, which is published today (21st July, 2020). It’s one of the most inventive and involving novels SWH! has read in some time, and it was fascinating to hear what inspired Tom to write this book, and the themes and ideas it addresses (all the while carefully avoiding spoilers!). The two discuss the importance of having a firm hold on people and place, the writers, and artists, who