Dappled Light

‘Take this woman into custody,’ thunders the Reverend. ‘Arrest her. She has viciously attacked me, and in that bundle is wrapped a dead child!’

It is 1860: four lives intertwine. Chrissy Hogarth is arrested in St Dunstan's church while a blizzard blows outside. Lokim – a gentle herdsman – is attacked by a lion in the heat of central Africa. James Stewart – a medical student – tutors the children of the great David Livingstone, while in Dundee Mina Stephen – the daughter of a rich shipbuilder – nurses a growing social conscience. Before they meet, Chrissy must remember a traumatic event and Lokim will suffer the privations of a terrible journey. James must face the realities of life and death on the Zambezi and Mina will learn that a dark secret is concealed within her privileged family home.

“Dappled Light came about when, one afternoon, I opened up a box that had belonged to my great great grandfather, Duncan Wilkie Paterson. The box contained papers about a court case which had been brought against Alexander Stephen, which included letters from his son Andrew. Intrigued, I found out more about my Stephen ancestors,” says Jessica, who based the novel around events described in contemporary letters, journals and a 1908 biography.

The book captures the idealism of Stewart, whose reputation was damaged by rumours of a relationship with Mary Livingstone, but who went on to dedicate his many talents to the ending of slavery, the advancement of education and the promotion of racial equality.