It can be murder digging up your family tree, especially when your ancestor is trying to kill you
The Murder Tree
Chrissie Fersen desperately wants to know how she is connected to the death of a servant woman in Glasgow in 1862. Enlisting the aid of local librarian Billie Vane, she is determined to clear the name of the woman originally convicted of the crime. But her chief suspect appears to be alive and well - and it looks like he still has murder on his mind...
Reasons for writing it:
It was in the mid 1990’s that I first read a book by Christianna Brand entitled Heaven Knows Who. This was a contemporary account of the trial of Jessie McLachlan, and the events preceding it. I was immediately struck by the dramatic 'twists' in this factual story, and by the intriguing questions it posed about who had really committed the crime. Because it was a true story, it struck me that there would undoubtedly be descendants alive today who may even be ignorant of the involvement of their infamous ancestors - and that prompted the creative instinct within me to look at the potential to write another version of the story, but from a modern day viewpoint.
Cover design by Mirandi Van Staden
Praise for The Murder Tree:
... a cracking good original story ...
... was totally breathless by the end of it ...
... some very sensitive writing ...
... well drawn, sympathetic characters inhabit a vivid world ...
... an exciting trail through 19th century and modern day Glasgow ...
... keeps you turning pages well into the night!! ...
... I was gripped by the book ...
... has you rooting for the main characters ...
... meticulously researched ...
[all the above quotes are from actual reviews posted on websites or submitted by email]
