Footsteps in the Dew
Footsteps in the Dew Shetland, 1150. When Rannveig finds boastful Patrekr dead in her father's longhouse one summer morning, she knows her sister's suitor, Eilifr, isn't guilty - and she's willing to declare his innocence in front of Earl Rognvaldr the Kirk-builder at the Thing. Then there's a second death, and soon danger threatens Rannveig's father and her lively brother and sisters ... A fast-moving novella of adventure and romance in Norse Shetland, set around historical events at the time of the 'three kings in Nidaros’.
Praise for Footsteps in the Dew
“...provides a wonderful insight into the social history as well as that relating to the complex politics of the time. .. That said this is predominantly a tale of murder and intrigue where, in true Taylor style, several red herrings are thrown into the mix until the mystery is solved. ... All in all, this is a captivating read and I found myself sitting long after I should have put the light out totally enthralled.”
Author’s Comments
Footsteps in the Dew grew out of a short story for the writers’ group – basically, the first chapter – which then became a serial for Shetland Life, and was finally expanded and launched as a book at Shetland Noir, 2015. I’d always been fascinated by the Norse period in Shetland, which has influenced modern life here in so many ways, from the long, low houses to the double-ended boats which are raced at regattas. After attending two Viking weekends at the museum, with specialists giving lectures, and acting as copy-editor for the subsequently-published papers, I felt brave enough to try my own Norse novel. It was written around the same time as Ghosts of the Vikings, and is set in the same area.
Footsteps in the Dew was originally published in a limited edition of 150 specially for the Shetland Noir Festival in November 2015. It’s now been reissued on lulu.com.