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The Unrecovered
A richly atmospheric gothic tale of madness, war and all-encompassing obsession set in Scotland
The Unrecovered
A richly atmospheric gothic tale of madness, war and all-encompassing obsession set in Scotland
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Description
On the Scottish coast, lies the gloomy fortress of Gallondean. Local legend has it that if the heirs to the house hear the howling of a spectral hound nearby, their death will quickly follow.
The current owner of the house is Jacob Beresford who, up until the unexpected death of his father, had never set foot within its crumbling walls. Jacob, already haunted by his own demons, has no need of more ghosts, but as the First World War staggers through its last terrible months and he uncovers unsettling details of his new home's past, the shadows seem to be growing around him.
Then he meets Esther, a young volunteer nurse, and one of her patients, who was wounded in mysterious circumstances, and their lives come to intersect in horrifying and unexpected ways.
Danger stalks the woods and coast around them, but it soon becomes clear that the gravest threats are within….
Both unsettling and evocative, deeply atmospheric and brilliantly engaging The Unrecovered is an unforgettable historical debut inspired by a real life legend and marks the arrival of an outstanding new talent.
Product details

Published | 14 Nov 2025 |
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Format | Paperback |
Edition | 1st |
Extent | 304 |
ISBN | 9781526670540 |
Imprint | Raven Books |
Dimensions | 234 x 153 mm |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
About the contributors
Reviews
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Impressive
Sunday Times
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With a story that crosses the world, from Scotland to Belgium and Jerusalem, this is an intriguing literary debut
Herald
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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
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Immersive, beautifully written, and with an intriguing setting, The Unrecovered builds towards an hallucinatory climax
Michelle Paver
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Ambitious... his audacious novel will give much pleasure to many people
Allan Massie, Scotsman
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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