In Skyehag by Bettyanne Twigg and Albert Marsolais, the Isle of Skye rocks with political intrigue; the chieftain is Norman MacLeod, and the enemies are within his household. Elspeth MacLeod was summoned to Skye on charges of witchcraft for stopping arterial bleeding. Upon arrival, she confirms that there’s more to the summons when the ailing chieftain assures her of his protection but requests her help in stopping his enemies. Trying to be logical by abstaining from treating Norman, who is her relative, Elspeth sends for help in the form of her physician friend, Malcolm Forrester, from Edinburgh. However, the witches of Skye get wind of Malcolm’s coming, and they resolve to use anything—even death—to stop him from getting to Skye. Fortunately, Malcolm is wearing Elspeth’s Fortuna ring, but will it be enough to see him through? Crucially, will Malcolm’s help be enough to tip the scales in the laird’s favor?

Co-authored by Bettyanne Twigg and Albert Marsolais, Skyehag is a dramatic tale that takes you back in time to eighteenth-century Scotland. By no means fast paced, it invites the reader to dig in and savor the authors’ patient narration. Indeed, Bettyanne and Albert showed their expertise in painting vivid scenes and filling them with lively characters and objects that each have a story to tell. Make no mistake, Skyehag is a prime work of art. Other than its vivid fight scenes, the characters were real, the world-building was flawless, and the drama was like that of a telenovela. I liked that the story was narrated in the first person because it made me realize the extent of Malcolm’s dynamism. Although Elspeth is an equally likable character, Malcolm is my favorite. The only flaw of this book, which is a testament to its quality, is that it is too real to be a work of fiction. It is perfect for those who prefer grand tales of ancient kingdoms involving a lot of drama and political intrigue.

Until the eighteenth century, women couldn’t practice the medical profession in Scotland. Elspeth was an Italian-trained physician accused of witchcraft by a childhood rival and healer. The laird of Clan MacLeod, Norman MacLeod, summoned Elspeth home to answer her charge. But after an attempted assassination on her trip back home to Dunvegan, Skye, Elspeth realized that there was more. Norman’s health failed from suspicious ailments, greedy kin were after some ancestral treasures, and the laird’s entire family were moving targets. They needed protection. Elspeth sought the help of her friend and trained physician, Malcolm Forrester. However, Malcolm also suffered from personal demons linked to his ancestors. The journey to protecting their loved ones includes a trip to the past, facing witches, and fighting demons in Skyehag by Bettyanne Twigg and Albert Marsolais.

The enemies live within, and sometimes strangers offer more safety than family. Skyehag by Bettyanne Twigg and Albert Marsolais is a captivating historical novel set in the eighteenth century. It explored witchcraft, magic, mysticism, manipulations, sabotage, scheming, and betrayals. The book also had a realistic plot, well-developed characters, and a riveting storyline. There were lots of takeaways from this fast-paced and action-packed story. Mairi, Elspeth, and Malcolm were the stars of this novel, and I loved them for different reasons. However, their bravery, loyalty, and resourcefulness were commendable. I also felt emotional about how far women have come, from being unable to practice in certain professions to receiving recognition in those fields. This book adopted a two-person narrative that flowed with humor and unpredictability. Twigg and Marsolais wrote a beautiful novel. What’s next for Malcolm, Elspeth, and Gregor?