The Walrus Mutterer
Volume one of The Stone Stories historical novel trilogy.
The Walrus Mutterer is about Pytheas, a real historical person, the first person from the Greek empire to discover Great Britain in 320 BCE. The novel begins as he makes landfall on the Scottish coast, here in what is now Assynt, Sutherland. From this starting point, I have woven a tale that delves deep into the little-known Celtic world of that era, through the eyes of a young woman, Rian.
The novel was inspired by the archaeological excavation of the Iron Age broch at Clachtoll, which has revealed that when Pytheas travelled here, more than two thousand years ago, he would have found a sophisticated maritime society. I have had great fun picking the brains of archaeologists and museum curators and using what I have discovered to imagine that world and create an adventure story that I hope will bring the Iron Age to life for readers.
The Walrus Mutterer was longlisted for the Highland Book Prize.
‘Utterly compelling … beautifully crafted … paints an exquisite pen picture,’ Undiscovered Scotland
‘The language and imagery are rich, poetic, visceral, and often moving … as strange and beautiful as anything science-fiction or fantasy has to offer.’ Scots Whay Hae
‘An immersive evocation of ancient folklore and ritual, this novel’s characterisation and fast pace make it a real page-turner which will keep you hooked.’ The Scottish Field
'We see what the world was like for the Iron Age peoples... Rian is a compelling heroine. Life for her is often harsh, uncompromising and dangerous, and yet she has insights and wisdom that we moderns may well envy,' while Helen Sedgwick said it's 'vivid, memorable, and utterly compelling.' Margaret Elphinstone
£9.99