Steam is challenging sail for mastery of the seas, new continents are opening and the world is brimming with opportunities for people to be as good--or as evil--as they choose. This is Aberdeen, Scotland in 1840 and, when the body of a local shipwright is found on the beach, neither the customers and suppliers he cheated nor the women he abused are surprised. But the mystery intrigues wood-carver John Grant. Marks on the body suggest foul play and he decides to look into the death. His work and his investigations bring him into contact with William Anderson, a rich merchant, for whom the dead shipwright was building a new vessel. The further John delves into the shipwright's manipulations, the more complex the intrigues, abuses and blackmail he encounters.
Anderson commissions John to make a figurehead for the new vessel, which is to be named after his wife, Elizabeth, but she'd prefer him to create something which combines her own likeness with that of her daughter Helen. Helen doesn't accept easily the restraints imposed on the women of her day and, as John sketches her and she visits his workshop to follow the progress of the carving, a mutual attraction grows between them. She, too, is curious about the death and has her own theories. In a pivotal scene, which creates a rift between them, she demonstrates to John that his investigations are too narrow. As a result, he begins to extend his search and climbs slowly towards the true cause of the shipwright's death. It is even more depraved than his worst suspicions had suggested.
About the Author :
Bill Kirton was born in Plymouth, England, studied French at Exeter University and graduated in 1962. After a brief spell as a trainee manager in industry, which didn't suit him at all, he became a teacher at Hardye's School in Dorchester, Dorset. After 3 years there, a coincidence led to him starting a Ph.D. on the theatre of Victor Hugo. A phone call from a colleague led to him being appointed temporary lecturer in French at the University of Aberdeen. It was intended to be a 6 month contract but, in the end, he was awarded his doctorate and spent the rest of his working career there, eventually taking early retirement to concentrate on writing. He has extensive experience of acting and directing. His directing credits include many French language plays as well as works by Shakespeare, Orton, Beckett and Ionesco. He spent a sabbatical year and two other short spells at the University of Rhode Island Theater Department, which had commissioned translations of 3 Moli�re plays, one of which he directed. While there, he gave classes in script-writing and critical approaches to drama and directed the department's production of As You Like It. Back in Scotland, he wrote and performed in revues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, wrote stage plays, some commissioned by Aberdeen Children's Theatre. In addition, he wrote radio plays for the BBC, two of which were also broadcast in Australia. He has presented TV programmes, including the very successful Electric Theatre Show and recorded voice-overs for TV commercials and documentaries. His scripts for companies on training, safety, and promotional presentations are too numerous to mention. He's been a Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow at universities in Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews and is the organiser of a nation-wide scheme which places professional writers in schools to help students with the transition to writing at university. He still gives workshops in schools from Orkney to Dundee as part of the scheme. His website and blog are at www.billkirton.com
Review :
The author manages to interweave a splendid romance of such exquisite tenderness that he is guaranteed to capture the heart of the most die-hard romantic. The Figurehead satisfies on every level, giving the reader authenticity, characters to care about, a mystery, and a romance. (Diane Nelson)
Bill Kirton introduces us to a host of characters, so skilfully drawn we feel we know them personally and his descriptions of 19th century Aberdeen are vivid. As well as a gripping murder story, The Figurehead touches on other issues including domestic violence, class differences and integrity (and lack of it) in the business of making money. (Mary Smith)
The Figurehead is a hugely satisfying read, by a writer whose love and knowledge of the sea in all its phases shines through on every page. The confined setting enables the reader to engage fully with the era and with the sights and smells of a period when shipbuilding was on the brink of major changes. The characters are skilfully delineated and the mystery at the heart of the novel makes it a real page turner. (Myra Duffy)
Excellent, well paced story set in the Aberdeen of 1840. The sights and sounds of the period are brought to life by an accomplished author. Beginning with a suspicious death, the plot involves a mystery, the carving of a new figurehead, the social differences between the characters, and a tentative love story. Highly recommended. Great depiction of women in the period. (Rosemary Gemmell)
I love this author's work so I had high expectations of 'The Figurehead.' It certainly doesn't disappoint! The plot is complex and believable, the characters are well-rounded and the dialogue is perfectly judged. Kirton writes female characters so well; this is one of the great strengths of his writing. The research behind this book is meticulous and fascinating but it never gets in the way of a rippingly good story. (Ruth Howell)
Bill Kirton is a skilled weaver of fiction, knitting diverse characters, settings and plotlines into engaging, expertly crafted stories.... He weaves a fine net of words that will keep you trapped from the beginning to the end. (P.D.Allen)
Mr. Kirton not only spins a good tale of murder with unexpected twists and nasty turns, he does so in a masterful way. His command of the language is such that he is able to create memorable wordplay on almost every page. He is a novelist of rare skill and vision. The last page managed to move this reader close to tears with an artful addition of a simple, yet revealing literary reference. The Figurehead is a surprising, satisfying book and a memorable read for anyone who might want to see how it's done, the right way. (Richard Sutton)
This book is a marvelous intertwining of crime thriller and tender romance. Author Bill Kirton has the artist's gentle touch, weaving a story rich in detail. His plotting is meticulous, there was not one moment when I questioned the intertwining of romance and crime, it was done so cleverly. The romance is gentle, subtle, and satisfying to a romantic heart. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. (Stacey Danson)
This is the best book I've read over the past year. The "mood music" is wonderfully evocative. The writing is superb. The plot is compelling and the characters are beautifully drawn and fascinating. This novel is screaming for a sequel! (Fiona Munro)
