John Lacroix returns from war a shell of the person he once was. Nursed back to health by his housekeeper, he is tracked down by an old colleague with the news that he is expected to return to service. Not yet ready to face his demons, John sets off on a trip to the Hebrides hoping to heal his psychological wounds. He is pursued by two men, Medina and Calley. Once in the Hebrides John is offered safe haven by the Fender sisters and finds love.

I requested this book from netgalley as something that would take me out if my comfort zone. It did this perfectly, I loved the prose, Andrew Miller's descriptive writing drawing evocative pictures in my mind of the characters, landscapes and atrocities. This book was not the easy comfortable read I usually gravitate towards. It was a book about war, about dishonesty, about suffering, but it is also a book about triumph, kindness and human devotion. Ultimately, it is a novel about guilt, love and redemption. All in all, a powerfully written novel which will stay in my mind for a long time.

I had a free copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.