Hue and Cry

'A gripping and welcome addition to the growing genre of historical crime fiction' - Waterstone's Books Quarterly. 'An elaborate, closely plotted tale that combines extensive research with high drama' -The Herald 1579, St. Andrews. A thirteen-year old boy meets his death on the streets of the university city of St. Andrews and suspicion falls upon one of the regents at the university, Nicholas Colp. Hew Cullan, a young lawyer recently returned home from Paris, uncovers a complex tale of passion and duplicity, of sexual desire and tension within the repressive atmosphere of the Protestant Kirk and the austerity of the academic cloister. Introducing sixteenth-century Scottish lawyer and amateur sleuth Hew Cullan in “a gripping mystery that holds the reader to the very last page” (John Burnside, prize-winning poet and novelist). 1579, St Andrews. A thirteen-year-old boy meets his death on the streets of the university city of St Andrews, and suspicion falls upon one of the regents at the university, Nicholas Colp. Hew Cullan, a young lawyer recently returned home from Paris, uncovers a complex tale of passion and duplicity, of sexual desire in conflict with the repressive atmosphere of the Protestant Kirk and the austerity of the academic cloister. Praise for the Hew Cullan Mysteries “Charms the reader.” —Scotland on Sunday “The authentic Scottish dialogue and gripping narrative make this a must for fans of Scottish history or mystery.” —Scottish Field “Wonderful stuff.” —Good Book Guide “Informative, suspense filled, downright entertaining.” —The Bookbag 1579, St Andrews. Hew Cullan, a young lawyer, returns home from studying in Paris. But it proves to be a cold homecoming as Hew's friend, university regent Nicholas Colp, is accused of murdering a thirteen-year-old boy. The boy was a private pupil of Nicholas, and salacious gossip backed up by incriminating letters have him judged, convicted, and heading for the hangman's noose. Investigating the crime, Hew uncovers a dark tale of duplicity and passion amidst a world of religious piety and the chilling austerity of university life. From a case that seems to be open and shut, a Pandora's Box of lies and corruption emerges. Hue & Cry is the first in the must-read series of Hew Cullan Mysteries, for fans of thrilling historical fiction.