Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

The Ploughman’s Harvest by Gil Waugh is a historical murder mystery that spans generations and continents. Iain MacNiven is a Cabinet Minister in Canada’s government. When his house is burned to the ground in an apparent arson attack, questions are asked. Along with the couple’s young daughter who perished in the blaze, the body of the possible arsonist was also found among the ruins. With Iain in hospital suffering from severe burns, it is left to his wife, Carole, to search through the rubble for any precious possessions that may have survived. What she discovered were three letters written to Iain’s father that had the potential to destroy the legacy of wealth and success that Iain’s grandfather had built for the family since leaving the Isle of Islay, over a hundred years earlier. The letters cry out for justice, and Carole, determined to uncover the truth behind the accusations, hires the services of the Sandalwood Investigation Agency, a successful and discreet private detective agency.

The Ploughman’s Harvest is an extraordinary novel. Gil Waugh’s use of time periods and multiple perspectives makes this story an absolute page-turner. The novel reads like a memoir in parts because the research into the historical aspects has clearly been extensive. The diverse range of characters allows readers to be fully immersed in the action and the connections between them. What impressed me most is the novel's sheer complexity and how the author manages to seamlessly weave the connections between the various characters, story arcs, and ultimate outcomes. I also appreciated the moral dilemma Iain MacNiven faced when confronted by the truth. I read a lot of historical novels, but few have had as much impact and brought me as much enjoyment as this one. I will definitely be seeking more of Mr. Waugh’s work in the future and highly recommend this book as one of the best I have read this year.