As a fan of Karen Swan, I eagerly awaited the publication of. The Stolen Hours, the second book in the Lost Isles series. These books are set on the remote Hebridean Isle of St Kilda just before and after it's abandonment by the islanders in 1930.
The previous book The Last Summer unlike Swan's usual happy ending finished on a cliffhanger after the death of a central character.
The Last Summer told the story of islander Effie, her relationship with her family, the Islanders and two men who desire her, only one of which she reciprocates. The Stolen Hours covering the same time period tells the story of Effie's friend and fellow islander Mhairi who similarly has two men who lust after her.
The most successful and engaging part of The Lost Summer was the first half which introduces the reader to the harsh and isolated world of St Kilda with its strong family bonds, strict religious and moral code, wildlife and wild beauty. Seen through the eyes of Effie who loves the Island, we were taken to a poverty-stricken rural economy with more in common with the 1870s, than 1930s. This has an extra poignancy in the knowledge that is was about to come to an end. For me that book dropped in intensity when the action moved to the mainland and we meet somewhat stock representatives of 1930s classes and attitudes.
In The Stolen Hours we no longer have the novelty of St Kilda's lifestyle and Swan has to rely on character and plot to re-engage her audience. As she readily admits in the afterword, she really struggled to bring Mhairi and her swains to life in this sequel and it shows. I also struggled with the first half of the book, only being engaged again, ironically in the mainland second half where there is more jeopardy, plot and at very long last some movement in explaining the cliff-hanger from the first book. All is not answered and it appears we will be revisiting St Kilda again next year to read the story through yet another character's eyes. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read a review copy of this work

What a delight this book is and best of all it's the first in a trilogy! Lowri has been widowed young and has a young daughter Wren. She discovers that her husband had a secret inheritance that he'd not shared with her. She sets off on a journey of discovery and takes us with her in this compelling story. I can't wait for the next instalment.

I hadn’t originally realised that this is the second book in the St Kilda series. It would have helped to have read the first (it does say this in the foreword) but I could follow it reasonably well anyway. Loved it though and will probably re-read after I’ve caught up with the first book.

This is the second book in the St Kilda series. I really liked the characters of Mhairi and Donald. I couldn't put the book down. Really good and linked to the first book really well. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.