When the residents of St Kilda ask to be evacuated from their remote island home in the summer of 1930, it’s in search of a better life on mainland Scotland compared to the scratch existence on their mountain in the sea.
For 18-year-old tomboy Effie Gillies, it’s a bittersweet departure. She’s the best young climber on the island, as skilled and brave as any of the men.
But it is Effie’s expansive knowledge of local bird life that leads her to take up a position as curator of Dumfries House’s ornithological collection — and back into the arms of Lord Dumfries’ son and heir, Sholto.
During her last summer on St Kilda, Effie had been Sholto’s guide, and their attraction had seemed irresistible. But, in the glamorous polite society of Ayrshire, it is clear they are worlds apart.
When a body is discovered on the island, soon after the evacuation, a scandal erupts as Effie is implicated. Sholto knows she’s keeping secrets — but are they even her own?
The Last Summer by Karen Swan is published by Macmillan, RRP $32.99.
HOW TO ENTER
We have two copies of this book to give away. For a chance to win, send your name, address, daytime phone number and the answer to this question: What’s the name of the Man’s Best Friend in today’s Country News? to: Country Life ‘Last Summer’ Competition, PO Box 8000, Shepparton, 3632, by Friday, July 1.
WINNER
Congratulations to Cath Birkett and Jeanette Fabry who have each won a copy of Girlhood. Please collect your prize from our Shepparton office.
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