The First Blast of the Trumpet

John Knox, Book 1

By: Marie Macpherson

Narrated by: Brede Mc Dermott

Hailes Castle, 1511. Midnight on a doom-laden Halloween and Elisabeth Hepburn, feisty daughter of the Earl of Bothwell, makes a wish to wed her lover, the poet David Lindsay. But her uncle has other plans. To safeguard the interests of the Hepburn family, she is to become a nun and succeed her aunt as Prioress of St. Mary’s Abbey, Haddington. However, plunged into the political maelstrom and religious turmoil of the early Scottish Reformation, Hepburn's life there is hardly one of quiet contemplation. Strong-willed and independent, she clashes with those who question her unorthodox regime at St. Mary’s, including Cardinal David Beaton and her rival, Sister Maryoth Hay. But her greatest struggle is against her godson, John Knox. Witnessing his rejection of the Roman Catholic Church, aided by David Lindsay, she despairs that the sins of her past may have contributed to his present disenchantment.

©2018 Marie Gilroy MacPherson (P)2025 Penmore Press

Power and Political Intrigue in Scotland

I found this saga of Scotland to be an interesting book to listen to. Full of struggles for power, political intrigue, family, love, and the role of the church, the book has everything historical fiction lovers could want. It is the story of Elisabeth Hepburn who just wants to marry her first love, David Lindsay, but family and the King work to keep them apart. Elisabeth instead finds herself destined to become the prioress of St. Mary’s Abbey where she discovers that education and the position provide a future and power. But power comes with enemies that could destroy everything Elisabeth has built, will she survive? I found Elisabeth to be a strong and resourceful character and enjoyed her story. The political intrigue at the Scottish court and the role of the church was fascinating. I listened to the book and the narration drew me into the story. The Scottish accent took me a few minutes to get used to but once I got used to it I found that it immersed me in the story and Scotland. I recommend this book to historical fiction lovers and those that enjoy books with strong women as main characters.