In 15^th century England, Isobell escapes before she is forced into a marriage with Richard—a cruel and nasty friend of her sadistic older brother. She sets sail with her twin brother, Jasper and Ian and head north to Scotland. In a Scottish castle she finds refuge as a kitchen maid helping Bessie. But Agnes who takes care of the Laird’s son, is full of malice, and Richard and her older brother head north in search of Isobell. Can she survive Agnes’s acid tongue and Richard’s determination to claim his prize in an era of witch hunts?

Elizabeth lives a privileged life in a Scottish castle in the 1700s until, visiting Aberdeen she is kidnapped. On the Planter, a ship heading to Philadelphia, she is hidden below deck with other kidnapped and indentured Scottish children and adults. After a harrowing journey, they reach their destination where they are sold into slavery. Will Elizabeth make it back to Scotland to reveal the crimes of those in power, or will she stay in this far off land?

What makes both these books fascinating reads, is that they are based on dark historical events relating to Aberdeen. 

• Other 5 out of 5s