The Unrecovered

Reviews / Votes

Impressive * Sunday Times * With a story that crosses the world, from Scotland to Belgium and Jerusalem, this is an intriguing literary debut * Herald * Disturbingly atmospheric and evocative, Richard Strachan's debut is a deliciously dark historical gothic mystery that will go down well with lovers of The Essex Serpent * Sunday Post * Ambitious... his audacious novel will give much pleasure to many people * Allan Massie, Scotsman * The gothic richness that imbues Strachan's writing is haunting as it is beautiful, and reminiscent of the wonderfully dark tales that inspired me to become a writer. The Unrecovered is a rare gem of gothic literature, and the meticulous melding of historical fiction into the narrative makes its horror all the more captivating -- A. M. Shine Immersive, beautifully written, and with an intriguing setting, The Unrecovered builds towards an hallucinatory climax -- Michelle Paver Creeping unease gives way to abject horror in this dark tale of dreadful inheritance and inexorable fate. Strachan is a formidable talent, weaving virtuoso sentences and deft allusions through this compelling historical nightmare -- Martin MacInnnes, author of Booker Prize longlisted In Ascension A formidable and deftly crafted nightmare, from a time of universal war, stretching backwards and forwards over the generations and across the map. The latest haunting in a classic Scottish tradition derived from Stevenson and Hogg -- Iain Sinclair In this beautifully written and compulsive debut, Strachan weaves the horrors of WW1 with the shadow of a dreadful legacy. Dark, intelligent and profoundly moving, I devoured this stunning debut in two sittings. I will be thinking about this story and its characters for some time -- Rebecca Netley, author of The Whistling Mark your calendars for February - The Unrecovered by Richard Strachan is an astonishing debut. A multilayered and gripping exploration of grief, trauma and atonement taking in Robert Browning, the Crusades, Peter Pan, colonialism and spooky hounds: complex, compelling and eerie -- Naomi Kelsey, author of The Burnings A harrowing tale of madness, illness and inherited horror. The genteel exterior of Roddinglaw house . . . belies nightmares that lurking within and nearby . . . a ghost story, a war metaphor, a tribute to poetry, and a literary novel all combined into one book, but above all, it is a great read -- Laura Shepperson, author of The Heroines Strachan melds historical fiction and the supernatural wonderfully. The Unrecovered is a brilliant, suspenseful novel that will move you to the edge of your seat and ensure you remain there to the very last page . . . Whether you like historical fiction, the supernatural, books about war or travel or anything else, this book has something for every reader -- Robert Welbourn A deeply felt portrayal of the suffering of war and repentance set against the backdrop of a brooding landscape and an ancient legend. The gorgeous writing aches with emotion, mystery and suspense. A mesmerising read -- Theresa Howes, author of The Secrets We Keep and The French Affair