annieb123's Review of The Unforgiven Dead

by Fulton Ross

You could have saved her.

Sure as the tide against his Highland shores, the refrain beats into Constable Angus ‘Dubh’ MacNeil’s mind. For years it has haunted him, accompanied by the faces of those he could not save—the Burned Man, the Strangled Woman, the Drowned Boy. All witnesses to a secret he cannot share and a gift he now refuses to embrace.

You could have saved her. The refrain drives Angus to the seashore at dawn, where a girl lies on the unblemished sand. She wears a green cloak and cradles a corps creadha, a Highland voodoo doll. She has suffered a ritualistic, three-fold death—her head bludgeoned, her throat cut, and symbolically drowned.

It is Faye Chichester, daughter of an American billionaire whose mission to reintroduce wolves to the Highlands has embroiled the village of Glenruig. But even as media and police swarm the area, that refrain—you could have saved her—echoes in all Angus’s thoughts. For he carries a burden, a blessing, a curse, a secret—dà-shealladh, the second sight of Gaelic lore.

Gills MacMurdo, noted folklorist, academic, and Angus’s oldest friend, confirms what the dà-shealladh is warning. Just as Faye’s death was three-fold, so must the murder victims fulfil the ancient pattern. More will die, unless Angus does what he must—close his eyes and see.

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Unforgiven Dead is a paranormal Scottish mystery/horror mashup by Fulton Ross. Released 25th July 2023, it's 432 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is an atmospheric read, full of brooding "tartan noir" and dread, but also quite difficult and not very immersive in general. Readers should expect to expend some effort to stay immersed in the story, which is diffuse and dreamlike in places, especially the first 30%. The author has juxtaposed ancient folklore and horror with a modern procedural novel. It's not always entirely seamless or successful, but it felt earnest and the author -is- undeniably talented with narrative prose.

There are spots which are horror tinged and graphic, about which more sensitive readers might need to be aware. The ending heavily foreshadows a possible continuation of the story. It's heavily influenced by traditional folklore and history of the Celts, especially Scotland. It bears repeating that this is a deeper read and will be best enjoyed by readers who are either interested in the subject or who want a read which needs some contemplation, and not just a passive read which will carry them along.

Four stars. Fascinating, deep, and a substantially long read which requires some concentration. Not for the faint hearted.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Reading updates

1 May, 2024: Started reading

1 May, 2024: Finished reading

1 May, 2024: Reviewed