Quoyloo Quill

Welcome back! Not that I'm actually going anywhere, but thanks to some great new books from Orkney writers, I can travel, virtually, wherever I wish - even to the top spire of Milan cathedral. Gaby Barnby (from the East Mainland, but we can forgive her for that) has written a thriller under the pen name of Helena Cooke set in New Zealand. No spoilers, but be careful trusting anyone - even your family. The book is atmospheric, starting with a fairly regular family set up, faced with the death of an aging relative, but builds to a fast paced, adrenaline overload as new light is shone on familiar places and events from childhood. Even paradise can be corrupted. Lynn Johnson's first novel 'The Girl from the Workhouse' published by Hera  books is currently available as an e-book and is set to be released in paperback form in September. This is a family saga, beginning before the First World War and is based on the true events of her grandmother, growing up in

                                             Welcome to the first blog from the Quoyloo Quill.  To start, we have my three feline friends who help with the writing and who will be happy to greet you personally any time you are passing their garden in Quoyloo. You are also very welcome to PYO raspberries when the fruit ripens next month. July has been an active(!) month of reading and reviewing books from fellow writers and also of getting down to editing and writing. If you want to do any writing friends a big favour, then please think about adding reviews to online sites, as well as sharing by word of mouth. A shout out here for Sarah Norquoy and Gaby Barnby (pen name Helena Cooke), both Orkney buddies with recent books on The Orcadian shelves. Although playing the organ is not yet possible with lockdown restrictions, have spent the time getting to know the 'masters' better and names such as Franck, Dupre, Vierne, Widor and Alain may creep into future blogs. Keep safe and sane