Welcome to Litsy!

An unexpectedly good book to follow Unsettled Ground; we know from the outset that Roderick Macrae has murdered a neighbour. What happened and why is then told by way of statements from neighbours, his own memoir and coverage of his trial. A novel dressed up as true crime, this is a sad story - again of rural poverty and the powers and whims of landowners, albeit this time in the 1860s. Who is telling the truth? Is Roddy insane? I enjoyed this.

My (very classy) Friday afternoon Happy Hour. 😉

One of those historical novels that purports to be based on "found documents" - medical reports, newspaper transcripts and the like. The main section is a first-hand account of how Roderick, a young Highland crofter, came to murder three fellow-villagers in 1869. The description of the misery and squalor of the crofters' existence, and their near-servitude is brilliantly conveyed. Superb.

A historical thriller about a triple murder in 1869 Highland Scotland told in the form of the accused's memoir, witness statements, medical reports and trial transcripts. I love the format and piecing together what happened from the bits and pieces, but ultimately I thought things dragged and rather too much was left to be inferred. I would have liked a few additional POV and less emphasis on sanity/insanity (hence M'Naghten rule, get ye gone!)

Week 3: His Bloody Project

Probs not the best book to read in lockdown . . . Gah! Well written & Interesting book if you‘re interested in the topic.

There were a few things I liked about this novel - the depiction of life for Scottish Highland crofters being one of them - but ultimately this story failed to engage me. For a short book (less than 300 pages) it felt really long, and for much of the narrative I was bored. Had the novel been any longer my so-so rating would likely have become a pan . ⭐️⭐️

I‘ve got my books and cup of tea all set to get #DashingDecember started. I‘m working right up until the 24th so my goals are modest:

📖 Finish His Bloody Project
📖 Finish (or bail on) Midnight in Austenland #bookspin
📖 Read Of Literature and Lattes #Doublespin
📖 Read 25 Days Till Christmas

Thanks for hosting @Andrew65 😊

New day, same book as yesterday since I only managed to read the prologue (I got sidetracked by a Star Trek Enterprise ebook 😂).

My new mugs arrived @LeahBergen Turns out this one is more winter than Christmas, but who can say no to a mug featuring dogs on a toboggan 🛷 🐶

I‘ve been off in space with my last few reads, but have decided to go back in time for my next read. I‘ve always intended to get to this book this year, so here‘s hoping it agrees with me.

Just getting started on a new book.

Longest standing book (that I own) on my GR TBR. This is my new project—to read the books on my shelves that have been stacked the longest.

Why did I put this one off for so long?! This is the fictional account of 3 murders in the Scottish highlands in 1869. We know Roderick Macrae is the perp. Now we get to read witness testimony, Roddy‘s own memoir, and trial transcripts to find the why. If Burnet would write a series of these books with ⬇️

His Bloody Project reminds me of an episode from a dark histories podcast. Including R. Macrae's personal account of events creates a second level of investment in the case that left me bewildered. Pictures of a hard-scrabble life and tragic loss are backdrop to some funny and pure moments. It's no fairy tale, but I enjoyed it. Artwork by Jane Holford Atkin

1869, the Scottish Highlands. A teen boy murders 3 neighbors in a tiny village. We then learn what led up to this. I just love the idea of this book and the structure of it, as though we are reading various documents. But the execution is a disappointment, as I found it dry and draggy. When I heard the author speak, he had a sly, subtle humor, but none of that is present here.

#ReadingEurope2020 Tartan noir

In the beginning I thought the book was a bit tough to read, but as the story unfolded it became more and more exciting. In the end I really loved the book. Interesting and very original way of writing!
#hisbloodyproject #graememacraeburnet #scottishlit

1. The tagged book for #Booked2020
2. I got lemon kit kats. Delicious. But I like lemon.
3. Cleaning, puzzles, TV
4. It‘s something a friend told me. Be thankful for all God has given you (or universe), be thankful for all you‘ve escaped.

#ThoughtfulThursday @MoonWitch94

Too much repetition of boring details, round/dynamic characters (but the way in which they are described just made me yawn), cliché literary techniques ... And most importantly: no story, while a strong plot is, according to me, the very essence of fiction.

#isolationinteractions @TheKidUpstairs

I had to do page 15 as 14 is a blank page.
“My lifehas been short and of little consequence, and I have no wish to absolve myself of responsibility for the deeds which I have lately committed.”

And I tag you @TheBookHippie - my buddy during this isolation. 😘

I had to confirm this was a novel and not a true story when I began reading. It got a bit repetitive and long winded toward the end and many of the terms in the local vernacular were undefined
, it was a good read.

So this happened. Looks like I‘ve got a lot of reading time in my future since I can‘t bear weight for 8 to 12 weeks.

I really wanted to like this book, but it took me util the chapter on the trial to really feel into it. I didnt hate it but i didnt love it either

#Book6of100 #Booked2020 I would consider this book as #TartanNoir
@Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage

Had to confirm this is novel since I‘m reading electronically. I wasn‘t sure if it was non-fiction when I started it. Looking forward to getting into this further; I like the concept.

Engaging and compelling. We know Roddy Macrae has killed 3 people but we need to know why??? Set in the Scottish Highlands in the 1860‘s evocative and absorbing. Much bleaker than I expected but such was life then. Recommended for fans of historical fiction. Challenge prompts #TartanNoir #Booked2020 #HistoricalMystery #JennyIs30 #MashUp #MandMchallenge #Pop20 #FeaturingOneOfTheSevenDeadlySins

Half way point ~ poor Roddy💔This book is sadder than I was expecting. Interesting look at life in the mid 1800s Scotland. Reminds me of Burial Rites.

I‘ve just started this #historicalmystery that also works as a #mashup and #TartanNoir 😊So far it‘s excellent 🙌🏻 switching between audio and print 🎧📘

Finished this during a relaxing weekend getaway with the hubs. Not exactly a book for a romantic getaway but a decent read all in all.

Catching up on #ChillingPhotoChallenge for #Scarathlon
Day 17: #bloody

#TeamStoker +1
@TheReadingMermaid

(Pts total=419)

I‘ve had this book on my kindle for three years but haven‘t read it yet.

#chillingphotochallenge #bloody #scarathlon @Clwojick

This is between a pick and so-so for me. I definitely enjoyed the depiction of characters and their lives in a rural Scottish Highland village circa 1869, but the last third didn‘t hold my attention as well when it turned to the “expert” criminologist examination and the trial.

The intended victim gets no sympathy from me. 👿

“I have always shrunk from killing so much as a hen, and do not understand why educated men regard the killing of living creatures as sport.”

Well put!

For a fraction of a second I was dismayed until I read it again. 😧😆

Thrifty find today that should be seasonably appropriate! 💀

This story unfolds through a series of found documents, including police statements, the accused‘s prison memoir newspaper reports and psychiatric reports.

#LetterEpistolaryNovel
#SelfImprovementSept
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
@OriginalCyn620

Yesterday, waiting to hear Graeme Macrae Burnet talk about His Bloody Project. It was a fascinating conversation and he was so lovely!

My last book for #booked2019 summer! I chose this for genre busting, since it‘s fiction trapped very well inside a nonfiction guise. That said, this wasn‘t my cup of tea. I don‘t think historical murders are my thing. But I liked the author‘s inventiveness and I can see why it got shortlisted for the Man Booker a few years back! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Imagine my delight when I realized Katie and Rincey were talking about MY reader suggestion/request for Scottish mysteries!

https://overcast.fm/+JNdyoPkNA

More books from the Dollar Tree over the last few months. Send help. If anyone has any of these and wants to buddy read let me know. I need all the help I can get, always.

#books #haul #bookhaul #dollartree #dollartreehaul #truecrime #buddyread #celebritymemoir #thriller #memoir #mystery #ya #youngadult #sendhelp

I scooped this off of the Man Booker 2016 longlist. A psychological mystery that perhaps, seeing as it's more intriguing than suspenseful, fits better on a historical fiction shelf, if I had to find a shelf for it. Each epistolary element has a unique, engaging voice that feels authentic for the period. The account of the trial was my favorite part, both for the care taken to portray criminal psychology in its infancy and for its subtle wit.

“It seems to me, said Archibald, that you have erected so many obstacles in your mind that you have quite defeated yourself before you have even begun.”

I'm listening to this as an audiobook and the narrator does a great job. If you can tolerate the audio form, it's well worth it.

In 1869, a brutal triple murder in the remote Wester Ross village of Culduie leads to the arrest of a seventeen-year-old crofter, Roderick Macrae. There is no question of Macrae‘s guilt, but it falls to the country‘s most eminent legal and psychiatric minds to uncover what drove him to his bloody deeds. Ultimately, the young man‘s fate hinges on one key question: is he insane?

The story ingeniously unfolds through a series of found documents

Best friend visiting (currently at a potential work requirement) and I get to borrow her puppy, cuddle, and read for a bit. #perfectday

My dad had this mug made for me so he could always have coffee with me from across the miles 😂☕️

#coffeeandbooks

Looking forward to this month‘s whodunnit. Thank you for the delicious sweets @jhod !!

This novel doesn‘t feel like fiction. The historical examination of class conflict and murder in 19th century Scotland through documents, interviews, and trial transcripts is riveting.

It was good. I enjoyed it but I wasn't blown away. I guess I feel like I have read similar books. It was unique in the setting and it was interesting in terms of what this area of Scotland may have been like at the time. Maybe I am becoming a book snob?

Helen! Thank you so much, what treats!!!
The bag is so lovely and I am excited to try the Calvino - second time lucky...! Thank you, hurrah for #whodunituk 😁
@ShookBelf

2.5⭐️

Promising. But its repetition in the second half undermines the first half. And what does get raised - what exactly happened to Flora? is Roddy a secret genius or the village idiot? - is left unknowable. I also want to know more about Jetta, & about Lachlan‘s relationship with their mother.
Also, not at all spooky or creepy, so it was a disappointment on that front.

Spending a much needed mental health day with this.

Finished last night in bed. I normally have an aversion to historical thrillers- don‘t know why just don‘t like the mix! This was just a pick though as the story draws you in and it‘s the thriller part that‘s the focus.
This was #whodunnituk read- hopefully get to P.O. this week @ShookBelf to send on.