The Poet of Loch Ness

by Brian Jay Corrigan

How far would you go to make your lover's dreams come true? Spirited Perdita Miggs is thrilled when her bland marine-biologist husband, Perry, gets a grant to spend the summer studying Loch Ness. Home to her alma mater, Scotland is also the place where seventeen years ago Perdita fell in love with Highland poet Andrew Macgruer. At the bed-and-breakfast where Perdita and Perry are staying lives an eccentric pair of sisters, Kira and Catitlìn. Among the unexpected guests are Breton Trent, Kira's old flame, and Andrew, whose allure has only improved with age. Recognizing in Kira's thwarted love an example of her own, Perdita works to bring the couple together again. In the process she finds herself growing ever closer to Andrew. Perry's subsequent anguish, however, incidentally coincides with an illness that seems to affect her heart. As three sets of love triangles hurtle toward final conclusions, the marine biologist's quest for the legendary creature of Loch Ness becomes the central metaphor for the secrets that glide beneath the surface of us all.

Genres: Fiction, Romance

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 2005

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good read! It is an incredibly heartbreaking and beautiful story. The plot twists are unexpected and keep the book lively without overtaking the whole story. It has really good moments for loss, grief, loneliness, love, and happiness.
It is generally a low key, gentle read so it’s not something that will take a lot out of you as you read it. But you definitely will be emotionally invested in it.
The end was not what I had wanted it to be but I’m not upset about it.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hauntingly beautiful love story. I find myself thinking of this story periodically - and it's been over a year since I read it. I was intrigued from the moment they arrived in Scotland and couldn't stop reading until I'd unraveled what was truly going on with all the characters...and had a good cry at the end. This is one book I will definitely hang on to.

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a different book. I was really intrigued by it... to find out what was going on! But it wasnt terribly satisfying. I didnt like the end. Very lyrical style of writing.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a heart-breaking book. It's one of those where you cannot really blame any one person for doing something right or wrong (except Trent). You can see the majority of character perspectives and with its conclusion, reminds us what true love and sacrifice really are.

[Nancy 6+ · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit too schmaltzy for my taste.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

In "The Poet of Loch Ness", Perdita and Perry Miggs head to Scotland on a grant that he receives to study the Loch Ness monster. Does she exist or doesn't she? Scotland is a place that holds a fond place in Perdita's memory, from her year at St. Andrew's and her love Andrew McGruger. She is feeling stale in life and is looking for Scotland to rekindle something for her. They are staying with the Shaw sisters in their boarding house for the summer.

There are numerous stories of love throughout this book. Perdita & Perry, Perdita & Andrew, Andrew & Meg, Kira & Brenton Trent and Caitlin, well I won't spoil that one ;) I found the very beginning and some parts of the middle of the story to be very vauge. I didn't understand why it had received such high marks on Goodreads and Amazon. I just didn't understand the point of all the characters and their stories and it all seemed rather muddled.

Then came twist after small twist after small twist. It wasn't enough to blow me away and make this a 5 star book, but it was enough for me to thoroughly enjoy my read. It really, truly is a story of love - the unselfish, all consuming, kind of love one has for another (whether it be husband and wife or sisters, etc). The second half was beautifully told.

[R.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always glad to read a book as well-written as The Poet of Loch Ness. Brian Jay Corrigan does well weaving a dark thread of mystery through the story. Just enough to keep the reader wanting to solve it and turn the page. The mystery is integrel. Perry and Perdita leave their home in the states to go to Scotland where Perry has a grant to study the marine life along the shores of Loch Ness. But the reader will pick up on clues that all is not what it seems. At times the dark elements had me guessing at Perry's true nature and gave the tale a sort of "What Lies Beneath" feel. This is a good story with well-developed characters whose points of view transition well. Poetic language. Some phrases turn with remarkable precision. A satisfying ending. And I loved that the author allows the legend to live on!

[Shirley Albright · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why did I pick up this book? The title and the place captured my attention even though I usually avoid romances like the plague. There was an enticing review by Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series. What could be so bad? Ugh. Descriptions of the place and philosophical musings about love in all its forms was well written, but the characters just didn't ring true for me. They were much too syrupy and wholly forgiving of every bad deed done to them....and not just ONE of the characters exhibited this trait, but ALL of them. C'mon now. I only finished the book because - well - I never leave a book half read. Wish I would have left this one on the used book rack where i found it.

[Andrew Neveils · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corrigan has a way with words. Very poetic in style of writing - the balance and rhythm of the sentences. The storyline is very good, and it was not what predicted. Very good read, though a little slow in the beginning.

[Kelly Sommer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick read, but an extremely unrealistic story...the concept of "love is not jealous" is woven throughout the story, but the ending left me incredibly unsatisfied. However, Corrigan's style of writing made me not want to put the book down.

[Adriane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book once I figured out the Scottish way of speaking. Some of the lines in this novel read like sweet poetry. It's obvious that the author is a true romantic and the end comes together like a sad song.

[Aislin · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason this book really stuck with me. Even years later I catch myself thinking of it. I'm haunted I suppose. =)

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is worth the read once you find out what her husband sacrafices for her happiness and why.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most favorite books. Beautiful love story.

[Turtle Turtle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. I first read this book years ago and have read it a few times since then, I just love love love this book, it never gets old!

[Karen J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very easy and poetic novel. The prose is lovely, with clear descriptions and lyrical flow. The story is captivating. The characters are well developed.

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half was good, then it seemed like the author was bored with his own story and spice mitt up for himself. Smut was unnecessary. Ending stunk

[Erin Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeously written book that celebrates the beauty of Scotland. The characters and romance seemed almost too perfect but I'm a little cynical so it may have been just me.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the writing and the insight.