Mystery of the Waterloo Bagpipes [Paperback]

Donald B. Willis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2001

Meet Jamie Murdoch and his friends, members of the Fairvale Highland Pipes and Drums. It's 1957 and Fairvale, Ohio is preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Scottish Highland Games. A set of old military bagpipes that were played in 1815 at the battle of Waterloo are brought from Scotland to be put on display as a focal point for this special event.

Following the theft of the historic pipes, Jamie and his friends set out to rescue the missing artifact and in an unexpected turn of events find their dangerous quest reverting to a living nightmare at the hands of an adversay, so patently evil, their very lives are placed in mortal danger. Be part of the final confrontation and surprise ending!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An interesting story, with an exciting, fast paced, surprise ending. I thoroughly enjoyed it." -- Sandy Hain - Former Pipe Major, The Black Watch

"In his first novel, Donald B. Willis has woven a story that will intrigue readers, both young and old alike." -- Scott Williams - Author

From the Author

This book came to be as a result of reading "Sandy Chisholm's Chanter Lessons" by Scott Williams of Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The story line held my interest to such an extent that, after I finished reading the book for the second time, I began thinking of additional stories about bagpiping. Knowing that there are not too many novels that feature the Great Highland Bagpipes, I decided to write one myself. On Sunday, 20 August, 2000, while perusing the framed print of Kenneth MacKay piping at Waterloo that hangs in our study, the idea of whatever happened to his famous pipes came to mind. At 7 pm I began writing and approximately two months later finished. What resulted was "Mystery of the Waterloo Bagpipes."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 194 pages
• Publisher: Anubis Publishing (May 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970784503
• ISBN-13: 978-0970784506
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,678,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Would make a great movie!, November 27, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Mystery of the Waterloo Bagpipes (Paperback)

My daughter is thirteen years old. For the past two days she's been talking about this book she just read. To see what all the excitement was about I picked it up and began reading. I'm glad I did. It's been a long time since I read a "young adult" book, but this "Mystery of the Waterloo Bagpipes" really kept me interested all the way through to the exciting end. I really liked the story line about the old pipes, and being a history buff, was fascinated with the description of the events surrounding the battle at Waterloo. The small town, set in late summer, gave the story a warm, cozy feeling as did the friendship between the kids. Having a daughter, I was very glad to see the character "Spike" interact so well with her friends and ultimately take a stand and demonstrate her bravery, along with the boys, during the final confrontation with the evil Simon Gein. And the dog MacKenzie. . .I loved her! She gives new meaning to the word "spunk". This is really a great read for kids as well as adults. A wonderful ending. It has the word "movie" written all over it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Small town setting like "Stand By Me", May 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Mystery of the Waterloo Bagpipes (Paperback)

Just finished reading this book. Really enjoyed it. Brought back warm, personal memories of good friends and growing up in a small, rural town back in the fifties. I had a dog just like MacKenzie. Reminded me of the movie "Stand By Me." Loved the stuff about bagpipes. Very interesting. Would definitely recommend.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Back to great family values, August 17, 2001

By 

Constance J. Ebaugh "[e-mail]" (Spencer, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mystery of the Waterloo Bagpipes (Paperback)

This book could have been written in the 50's - it is so filled with great family values. The children are truly engaging and the relationship they have with their parents is exemplary, and the friendship they have with each other leaves one longing for the days before school-age violence. Don's descriptive writing allows one to see the environs quite beautifully, and I found myself wanting to purchase a home on their street, where I could be one of the neighbors, and enjoy the fair with them. I laughed and I cried with this book - the mystery itself was a great "yarn," as it ends with the "good guys" winning. Thanks. Don for the great read - get back to that desk now, and give us a sequel.