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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
Shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Debut prize
'Beautifully written' Michelle Paver
'I devoured this' Rebecca Netley
'A rare gem of gothic literature' A. M. Shine
At a Scottish manor house requisitioned as a temporary hospital during the First World War, Esther works as a volunteer nurse while dreaming of becoming a poet. With her husband and beloved father both dead, she knows that if the war ever ends she must build a very different life for herself.
Meanwhile, on the coast beyond her new home lies Gallondean Castle, a gloomy near-ruin that has been unhappily inherited by Jacob. Jacob is already haunted by his own demons but as he uncovers details of the castle's past, the shadows only seem to be growing darker around him.
However it is Daniel, one of the soldiers who appears to have received only a minor, yet mysterious, injury, whose life will come to connect with both Esther and Jacob in horrifying and unexpected ways...
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 | 02 Oct 2025 |
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Format | Paperback |
Edition | 1st |
Extent | 320 |
ISBN | 9781526670557 |
Imprint | Raven Books |
Illustrations | 0 |
Dimensions | 198 x 129 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