NICOLA MORGAN

The dramatic and often terrifying sequel to
The Highwayman’s Footsteps

"Read it if you dare. Put it down if you can..."

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Selected reviews:

Amanda Craig in The Times:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/children/article3051277.ece

From the Writeaway website:

"The sequel to The Highwayman’s Footsteps is highly engaging. Morgan has again taken a historical event as the background to her novel: The Wigtown Martyrs of 1685. Her poignant recollection of these despicable atrocities through Old Maggie are vivid and strong, yet she urges us to stop continuing the hatred of our ancestors, and therefore cease the violence that happens in the name of religion – a theme so apparent in our own modern day society. Whilst building her story on a moralistic ground Morgan does not preach; instead her message is embedded in an energetic, lively and powerful tale which is even better than its appealing predecessor. As a set text this would appeal to both sexes, and its themes and description provide excellent material for pupils to analyse and of course, enjoy!"

From the Bookbag website and reviewer Jill Murphy:

"It’s as vivid and vital as the first book ... as evocative of time and place as ever you could wish. Morgan apologises for the lack of Scots dialect in the preface, fearing it would alienate too many readers, but for this English reader the Scots-flavoured dialogue was one of the strongest elements to the book, accessible, but energetic, rich and deep. Here’s Old Maggie’s curse to illustrate:

"I curse their heid an’ all the hairs upon their heid; I curse their face, their eyes, their nose, their tongue, their teeth, their neck, their shoulders, their heart, their stomach, their arms, their legs, an’ every part o’ their body, from the top o’ their heid tae the soles o’ their feet, afore an’ behind, within an’ withoot.

"I condemn them tae the the deep pit o’ Hell, tae remain wi’ Lucifer an’ all his fellows, an’ their bodies to the gallows, first tae be hangit, then takken down an’ left tae rot wi’ dogs, an’ swine, an’ other foul beasts, abominable tae all the world. An’ may their light go from oor sight, as their souls go from the eyes o’ God, an’ only in three thousand year will they rise from this terrible cursing, an’ mak satisfaction an’ penance. An’ so I curse their souls.

"I don’t know about you, but it made my hair stand on end.

"Clear-eyed, carefully structured and capable of analysis, yet vivid, energetic and motivational, I loved The Highwayman’s Curse just as much as I loved Morgan’s first book about Will and Bess. It’s everything you could ask for in an historical novel and it comes highly recommended by Bookbag."

And Waterstone’s love it too (PHEW!) Sue Chambers from the Harrods branch says,

"The sequel to the Highwayman’s Footsteps and is as well written and gritty as that volume. Superb, atmospheric and glorious. Buy both and have a ball - absolutely WONDERFUL. Enjoy this adventure. I hope and trust there will be a third."

Lots of teenagers have written reviews. Here are two:

Ailsa from Edinburgh:

"This book has a surprise round every corner and is full of action, revenge and never-forgotten enemies."

Megan, 13, from Hertford, said:

" ... EVEN faster and more exciting than the Highwayman’s Footsteps, if you can believe that! The scenes in the caves and with the water were really scary and you feel you were there, desperate for Will and Bess to succeed and to overcome all the terrifying things that happen!"

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Q: What’s it about?
A: Will and Bess, our young heroes  -  or criminal highwaymen, however you view them  -  are on the run and find themselves in Galloway, Scotland, falsely accused of murder. Captured by smugglers, they become embroiled in a story of hatred and revenge that goes back generations  -  to the days of the Killing Times, when men, women and children were killed in the name of religion. As Will and Bess become entangled in the dangerous lives of this embittered family, both have choices to make which will test to the limit their courage. They must face the horrors of the terrifying smugglers’ caves, and everything they believe will be challenged. They may try to break the cycle of religious hatred that curses the land, but will their friendship survive?

Q: Any themes you can tell us about, in case our teacher asks?
A: It’s a story of hatred and anger going down the generations. There are many places in the world where hatred between religions causes tension, death and revenge. The only way to stop it is for someone to say, "Enough." Either side could do it, but no one is ever brave enough. They’re brave enough to kill and torture but not brave enough to forgive and be forgiven.

In The Highwayman’s Curse, there’s a bitter old woman with a terrible scar on her face  -  she was branded by a soldier as a small girl; the soldier had done this to force her mother to swear loyalty to the King and not God. But her mother would not, and so she was drowned and her daughter was branded as she watched. This memory has stayed with the old woman and she is full of hatred for the Epsicopalians who had been responsible. But that is many years before, and the Killing Times are over. Should she not move on, forgive, put it behind her?

Q: Is it based on any true stories?
A: Yes, you know me! The Killing Times, the Covenanters and the Wigtown Martyrs. Research them  -  it’s cruel and terrifying stuff.


WARNING: don’t let your great-aunt Gladys read this book  -  the scenes in the caves will be bad for her heart.

ANOTHER WARNING: there’s a very nasty incident with a snake, too ...

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