Stolen Voice: A Gil Cunningham Murder Mystery [Paperback]

Pat McIntosh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2010

Praise for the Gil Cunningham series:

“McIntosh provides a signature twist at the end that serves as an unexpected bonus for readers already enthralled with the medieval mystery she has spun.”—Booklist

“Excellent.”—Kirkus Reviews

Could Davey have been carried off by the fairies only to reappear forty years later, seemingly not a day older than when he vanished? What about other Scottish sweet singers who are missing?

Pat McIntosh was raised in Lanarkshire, lived in Glasgow, and now resides in the west of Scotland.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. The baffling return of David Drummond, who vanished as a child three decades earlier, is but one of several intriguing puzzles Gil Cunningham investigates in McIntosh's excellent sixth mystery to feature the 15th-century Scottish constable (after 2008's The Rough Collier). David was about 11 when he disappeared without a trace from Glen Buckie, but somehow he's aged only five or six years in the meantime. Cunningham must also ascertain the fates of four men, all choir members, who have recently gone missing. Some locals believe only the supernatural can explain these inexplicable events—one is sure the devil himself is behind them. Cunningham, who seeks a more mundane agency, doggedly interviews those who might be responsible for the abductions, including David's older brother, Andrew, whose singing voice has been damaged and who may resent those with uninjured voices. McIntosh does a solid job of blending plot and period detail. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Husband-and-wife sleuthing team Gil and Alys Cunningham are as mystified as the local residents on the shores of Loch Voil when Davie Drummond, a young Cathedral singer who vanished more than thirty years ago, reappears, seemingly having aged but a few years. When they begin their investigations, it appears that a number of church song men in the area have recently gone missing, leading the Cunninghams to believe that the past and present disappearances may somehow be related. After a fatal fire, Gil and Alys must sort through Highland suspicion and superstition to piece together the pieces of a puzzle that reaches back decades into the past. McIntosh provides a signature twist at the end that serves as an unexpected bonus for readers already enthralled with the medieval mystery she has spun. --Margaret Flanagan --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Soho Constable; First Trade Paper Edition edition (July 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569476519
• ISBN-13: 978-1569476512
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,182,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars maturing character - excellent, June 18, 2009

By 

Bushido - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stolen Voice: A Gil Cunningham Murder Mystery (Gil Cunningham Murder Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Having started this series with the first book I have seen how the author has been effective in "maturing" the main character and it's impressive. The first book presented Gil as unsure of himself and throughout each book he has slowly gained confidence so, in this book you see a much more "sure of himself" character. I am so enjoying this series and can't wait for the next one to be published. I know that some readers, here in the US, will complain about the Scottish or Gaelic words used but that's what makes the book. And, for me, I can actually "hear" the sounds and accents one would expect from Scottish people. This author has definitely impressed me. I was fortunate to run across these books while searching for something else on Amazon.com UK - and am I ever thankful I did.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stolen by the Fair Folk, October 21, 2009

By 

A. Lee (L.A., CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stolen Voice: A Gil Cunningham Murder Mystery (Gil Cunningham Murder Mysteries) (Hardcover)

This sixth book in the Gil Cunningham mystery series set in medieval Scotland, takes place outside of the accustomed Glasgow, in the villages of the countryside where a Gils is ordered by the Archbishop to look into several strange events. The most strange is the return of Davie Drummond to his home in Glenbuckie. A young singer, he disappeared thirty years before but has recently returned, aged only a few years and supposedly had been living among the Fair Folk. His own mother claims he is truly her son and those in the family believe the tale. While Gil's wife Alys goes to Glenbuckie to look into that matter, Gil investigates the more recent disappearances of varous singers and one who was secretary to the Bishop of Dunkeld, who may have had access to sensitive diplomatic information.

What follows is a complex mystery of various strange events that may or may not be linked. The characters are all strong and interesting, as is the mystery plot. This is one of the best in the series so far.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great story, August 23, 2009

By 

NuithMay (NY, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stolen Voice: A Gil Cunningham Murder Mystery (Gil Cunningham Murder Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Really liked this tale, but then I've liked all the books in this series. Does anyone know if the Erse/Ersche "Song of the Departing Soul" actually exists? And if so, what are the lyrics (in english)?
The song is sung for the priest Sir Duncan, and also for Bessie Drummond in the story.