The Whisky Widow

In 1921, I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks. I was therefore pleased to receive a copy of Karen Brook's new novel, The Whisky Widow, to read and review. I was not disappointed.

Set in Scotland between 1780 and 1784, this is the story about Greer MacAlister and her daughter Fen as they strive to find a home in a new community. When Greer's husband died she received a message that, as his widow, she should go to Montrose and collect money owing to him. Once there, however, she discovered that the money had gone and she was left to defend for herself and her daughter. Meeting Tam Gorden provided the chance for a new life living in a small village in the Scottish Highlands.

Greer soon encountered the prejudices that existed in the village regarding outsiders, especially Lowlanders, and that becoming accepted would not be an easy task. She also discovered that although there was some farming and fishing, the villagers mainly made their living from distilling and smuggling whisky. Although they were allowed to keep a small amount of whisky for their own consumption, a high excise was applied to the sale of whisky, hence the need for the smuggling operations.

The villagers lived in constant fear of raids from excise officers and Red Coats. A system was devised to alert the villagers of possible intruders. It was only after Greer stood up to an excise office during a raid that many of the villagers began to accept her presence in this tight-knit community. When disaster strikes and some of the men, including Tam, are arrested it is up to Greer to manage the community and to devise a rescue plan. Tam has been accused of murder and it is up to the village community to prove his innocence.

This is a story of a community bonding together for its survival when required. Life is hard but basically members of the village look after each other. Although most attend the village church there is still a strong belief in supernatural forces - just in case. This is also a story about relationships, especially between family members. It also explores love and war and seeking justice.

The Whisky Widow is a work of historical fiction that graphically portrays the difficulties faced by the workers living in small villages in the Highlands. It is a time of change with the Clearances already occurring in some areas. Eventually a decision needs to be made whether to remain in Scotland or try for a new life overseas.

Many thanks to Better Reading and HQ Books for a preview copy of this book.