The Inheritance

In The Inheritance, the death of the clan patriarch has thrown the tiny Shetland Islands community of Whale’s Reef into turmoil.

About The Inheritance

Everyone assumed MacGregor Tulloch’s heir to be his grand-nephew David, a local favorite, but when it is discovered that MacGregor left no will, David’s grasping cousin Hardy submits his own claim to the inheritance, an estate that controls most of the island’s land. And while Hardy doesn’t enjoy much popular support, he has the backing of a shadowy group of North Sea oil investors. The courts have frozen the estate’s assets while the competing claims are investigated, leaving many of the residents in financial limbo. The future of the island-and its traditional way of life-hangs in the balance.

Loni Ford is enjoying her rising career in a large investment firm in Washington, DC. Yet in spite of her outward success, she is privately plagued by questions of identity. Orphaned as a young child, she was raised by her paternal grandparents, and while she loves them dearly, she feels completely detached from her roots. That is until a mysterious letter arrives from a Scottish solicitor.

My Thoughts

A wonderful, historical novel based in the Scotland Shetland Islands. A remote location that is beautiful and harsh in its existence for the people of this small community that has not quite been touched by time. I love the beauty of Scotland and its people, their heritage that they carry with them. Throughout the novel, we have constant glimpses of this strong and proud culture. What I found the most amazing was the continuance of the Chief and Laird titles – I first thought I was reading a moment in the past but was pleasantly surprised to see us in the future. We get a wonderful glimpse into the daily lives of the people and how the Chief David plays a strong role in keeping the people united and well taken care of. Even if this mean supplementing their own income from this own!

When the titles and estate comes in question, their small world is thrown upside down. You have a family member, Hardy, who never cared (and still doesn’t) who emerges on the death of MacGregor. Everyone does not want him to be the leader but the courts are leaning towards him until a distant closer relation in Loni Ford is found.

Loni has no knowledge of her relations and has always grown up feeling alone. I love that she discovers this whole new family and community to belong to.

I loved the history, the characters and the way the story evolved. The ending left a little bit wanting and unsure if this is how the story ended, but it was still a great story from start to finish that anyone can get into. The Scottish language may take a while to get used to though! But I love reading it and imagining the accents as I read it.

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Rating: 4/5

About the Author

Michael Phillips is a bestselling author with more than 70 of his own titles. In addition, he has served as editor/redactor of nearly 30 more books. He is known as the man responsible for the reawakened interest in George MacDonald of the last 30 years. In addition to the MacDonald titles adapted/edited for today’s reader, his publishing efforts in bringing back full-length quality facsimile editions also spawned renewed interest in MacDonald’s original work. Michael and his wife, Judy, spend time each year in Scotland but make their home near Sacramento, California.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.