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The Shimmer of the Herring
Death of strong-willed but loving husband devastates his wife and children but in re-building their lives they also find the chance to fulfill long-forgotten dreams and ambitions.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
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First published March 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 7, 2025
The Lowrie Family #1
Buckie, Scotland 1912: One year after Weem Lowrie's death, his wife Jess and children are still living in his shadow, bound by the strict decisions he imposed when he was alive. Eldest son James and his sister Bethany are trapped iin marriages that were arranged to bolster the family's fishing business. Youngest don, Innes, struggles with the memory of his father's disapproval over his failure to become a fisherman. James longs to take over as skipper of the family's fishing boat, The Fidelity, rather than working for his uncle. Bethany dreams of escaping from her role as wife and step-mother to two young children, and Innes longs for acceptance and respect from his siblings and to be seen as a man.
This is a quick and easy read. We follow the Lowrie family whose father, Weem, had recently passed away. It tells us of the hard lives the wives and daughters of fishermen have, Nothing is plain sailing for any of the families. I enjoyed this book.
Published 18th December 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Boldwoodbooks and the author #EvelynHood for my ARC of #EchoesofthePast in exchange for an honest review.
Buckie, Scotland 1912: One year after Weem Lowrie's death, his wife Jess and children are still living in his shadow, bound by the strict decisions he imposed when he was alive. Eldest son James and his sister Bethany are trapped iin marriages that were arranged to bolster the family's fishing business. Youngest don, Innes, struggles with the memory of his father's disapproval over his failure to become a fisherman. James longs to take over as skipper of the family's fishing boat, The Fidelity, rather than working for his uncle. Bethany dreams of escaping from her role as wife and step-mother to two young children, and Innes longs for acceptance and respect from his siblings and to be seen as a man.
This is a quick and easy read. We follow the Lowrie family whose father, Weem, had recently passed away. It tells us of the hard lives the wives and daughters of fishermen have, Nothing is plain sailing for any of the families. I enjoyed this book.
Published 18th December 2025
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Boldwoodbooks and the author #EvelynHood for my ARC of #EchoesofthePast in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2025
The Lowrie family are generational fishermen in Scotland; however only the men may fish and Bethany has always begrudged not being able to go to sea like her brother.
Bethany's father Weem died a year ago, but her mother Jess defied his wishes (and alienated her opinionated son James) by burying him rather than consigning his body to his beloved sea. Her husband was a cruel man, who married off his son in order to gain a ship and his daughter to further his business; neither marriage was particularly happy, especially that of his daughter Bethany.
An old flame of Jess's returns to the village and starts to court her anew. Meanwhile Bethany escapes from the drudgery of married life by taking a spot on the farlins at Yarmouth, as she used to as a girl, but her husband Gil is not impressed, particularly as his dreadful mother takes over the upbringing of his children.
The book is full of the pettyness and narrow mindedness of village life - everyone worrying about what the neighbours might think and living their lives according to some strange ideals. Seeing how the relationships develop was interesting, if at times frustrating as they were so constrained by the mores of the time. I didn't particularly warm to any of the characters, other than maybe Jess's youngest son Innes who seeks love and refuses to go to sea. His family deride him for preferring tinkering with engines than fishing, but he is proved right to stick to his guns and seems the only man of principle, rather than pig-headedness among them. James comes over as incredibly selfish and self-centred, with hardly a thought for his wife Stella.
It will be interesting to see how the characters develop. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Bethany's father Weem died a year ago, but her mother Jess defied his wishes (and alienated her opinionated son James) by burying him rather than consigning his body to his beloved sea. Her husband was a cruel man, who married off his son in order to gain a ship and his daughter to further his business; neither marriage was particularly happy, especially that of his daughter Bethany.
An old flame of Jess's returns to the village and starts to court her anew. Meanwhile Bethany escapes from the drudgery of married life by taking a spot on the farlins at Yarmouth, as she used to as a girl, but her husband Gil is not impressed, particularly as his dreadful mother takes over the upbringing of his children.
The book is full of the pettyness and narrow mindedness of village life - everyone worrying about what the neighbours might think and living their lives according to some strange ideals. Seeing how the relationships develop was interesting, if at times frustrating as they were so constrained by the mores of the time. I didn't particularly warm to any of the characters, other than maybe Jess's youngest son Innes who seeks love and refuses to go to sea. His family deride him for preferring tinkering with engines than fishing, but he is proved right to stick to his guns and seems the only man of principle, rather than pig-headedness among them. James comes over as incredibly selfish and self-centred, with hardly a thought for his wife Stella.
It will be interesting to see how the characters develop. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Echoes of the Past by Evelyn Hood is an engaging story about the fishing culture on the Scottish coast in the early 1900s. It focuses on one family, that of Weem and Josie Lowrie and their three children, James, Bethany, and Innes, as well as Weem’s sister, Meg. Weem is dead and buried as we join this story, but his influence will last for years. For one, the fishing boat he owned was split between, James, Weem’s brother Albert, and his mother and siblings. The leadership role fell to Albert as the most senior, who was not fit for it and James was trying to find a way to work around it. Innes fell ill when he got on a board, earning his father’s and Jame’s eternal mocking, but he was an excellent mechanic, and happy. Weem had engineered marriages for his two eldest, ones which neither was happy with. They found a temporary solution explained in the story.
Excellent characters, all, Hood did a complete job of making them sympathetic characters even as the reader often felt some dislike for them. The information about the culture was interesting and new and different. The entire family participated in eking out the family living. There was little time for outsiders, even when one appeared from the past. The plot was a little shocking at some points, but Hood made it seem real and necessary. It was an engaging read, opening doors to a life previously non-existent to most readers.
I was invited to read Echoes of the Past by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #EvelynHood #EchoesOfThePast
Excellent characters, all, Hood did a complete job of making them sympathetic characters even as the reader often felt some dislike for them. The information about the culture was interesting and new and different. The entire family participated in eking out the family living. There was little time for outsiders, even when one appeared from the past. The plot was a little shocking at some points, but Hood made it seem real and necessary. It was an engaging read, opening doors to a life previously non-existent to most readers.
I was invited to read Echoes of the Past by Boldwood Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BoldwoodBooks #EvelynHood #EchoesOfThePast
January 15, 2024
Must be the twentieth time I've read this book. It's just a masterpiece of the genre, and in my find fiction generally. It breaks down just how much patriarchal capitalism screws everybody over. The characters are so constrained by their gendered roles and trying desperately to either break out of them, or enfold within them so completely they become angry depressed shells of people.
Bethany and James.... I mean but I sort of loved their story. It's the desperation of two people who are completely trapped in a system that makes no sense - Bethany wants to fish, but cannot because of her gender, James wants autonomy and to be alone, and cannot because he hasn't the capitol and also because of his gender must be see to be the leader of a family.
And then there is Innes, who although he is ostracised for rejecting his gendered role within the society he lives within, makes his own choices and finds his own space within an emerging meritocracy (which has also served the outsider Jacob). The result of this is a happier man with a loving, self chosen family.
It is such a simple story well written, Evelyn Hood's book generally are all readable and relatable and also paint a wonderful picture of a specific period in time and the people and communities that lived within it.
Love this book, love it.
Bethany and James.... I mean but I sort of loved their story. It's the desperation of two people who are completely trapped in a system that makes no sense - Bethany wants to fish, but cannot because of her gender, James wants autonomy and to be alone, and cannot because he hasn't the capitol and also because of his gender must be see to be the leader of a family.
And then there is Innes, who although he is ostracised for rejecting his gendered role within the society he lives within, makes his own choices and finds his own space within an emerging meritocracy (which has also served the outsider Jacob). The result of this is a happier man with a loving, self chosen family.
It is such a simple story well written, Evelyn Hood's book generally are all readable and relatable and also paint a wonderful picture of a specific period in time and the people and communities that lived within it.
Love this book, love it.
December 18, 2025
This told the story of the Lowrie family, a Scottish fishing family. There were many references to what was involved in the fishing industry, not only the men at sea but also the women who were involved. It was very much the men who were in charge, not only on work but also in the home. It also told how the Lowrie father ruled the future of his oldest children, for his own benefit and the effect this had on their lives. As this is the first in the series there are a number of unanswered questions and solutions. I found the more I got into this book, the more I enjoyed it. There are a number of interesting characters within the family. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 14, 2025
I really enjoy these easy reads. This story is set in Buckie which I know well as the author does too, it’s 1912 and the town runs on fish. The men are the fishermen and the woman look after the fish or the bairns. This story follows the Lowrie family, the father has just passed and the boat has been spilt between the existing family. It follows the fishermen to Great Yarmouth and the troubles continue. A lovely story set on the Moray Coast. 5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Echoes of the Past by Evelyn Hood is the inaugural volume in The Lowrie Family series. The author's straightforward style makes the story easy to read. She effectively brings Buckie in 1912 to life and clearly researched the setting as well as the time period well. The characters are well-developed and portray life by the sea accurately, with particularly notable details about the women’s experiences. I liked visiting Buckie in Echoes of the Past and am eager to see what comes next in Hope for the Future.
November 3, 2025
A beautiful story of a family who live with a fear of doing the wrong thing or remembering past failures from a parent/spouse that was domineering. The characters grab your heart and keep you reading to see what happens.
November 27, 2025
Well written and researched. The details made feel as if I was there. It takes place in pre-WWI in Scotland. Highly recommend this book.
September 21, 2015
The herring fisheries of the north-east of Scotland are the main setting. At this time the 'silver darlings' are plentiful and keep the people in business; the fish are caught, gutted, salted and packed in barrels to be sent to London, Germany and the Netherlands. The gutting, salting and packing is done by women in teams for little pay.
At this period the fishermen are changing over from sailed boats to steam. A steam boat can not only power itself against the wind, the engine can help haul up the sails and move the boom, and most importantly haul in the miles of laden netting. But selling one sailed boat won't bring enough money for a steam boat. So a few men have to agree to go in on a deal, and in order to raise the rest of the capital, one man offers to marry a girl whose fisherman father is retiring and has no son. As her husband he can take over the sailed boat and sell it to raise his share. Naturally disputes arise over the captaincy of the vessel and the way she is run.
All does not go smoothly among families either as the women do hard work at home and raise the children, but get little or nothing out of it. When they go to Yarmouth for the annual fish catch packing, this is like a holiday and they have to work twice as hard with no roof for the rain. At this time we see women's solidarity but at home in the harbour towns they are individuals jealous of their home and hearth.
The romances and lives go along briskly but be prepared for use of fists and a twist in the romantic side which is odd - I have an idea how this will work out but will have to read the third book to know. Some people make a living in other ways, and they are starting to prosper. The character voices and setting details are well realised, with Scots and Doric words for flavour. The first book is The Fisher Lass and the third is The Sparkle Of Salt.
At this period the fishermen are changing over from sailed boats to steam. A steam boat can not only power itself against the wind, the engine can help haul up the sails and move the boom, and most importantly haul in the miles of laden netting. But selling one sailed boat won't bring enough money for a steam boat. So a few men have to agree to go in on a deal, and in order to raise the rest of the capital, one man offers to marry a girl whose fisherman father is retiring and has no son. As her husband he can take over the sailed boat and sell it to raise his share. Naturally disputes arise over the captaincy of the vessel and the way she is run.
All does not go smoothly among families either as the women do hard work at home and raise the children, but get little or nothing out of it. When they go to Yarmouth for the annual fish catch packing, this is like a holiday and they have to work twice as hard with no roof for the rain. At this time we see women's solidarity but at home in the harbour towns they are individuals jealous of their home and hearth.
The romances and lives go along briskly but be prepared for use of fists and a twist in the romantic side which is odd - I have an idea how this will work out but will have to read the third book to know. Some people make a living in other ways, and they are starting to prosper. The character voices and setting details are well realised, with Scots and Doric words for flavour. The first book is The Fisher Lass and the third is The Sparkle Of Salt.
July 10, 2013
This genre (family saga) is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me and not one that I read often, but I bought this book as part of a "2 for £3" offer in a bargain book shop. The book is set in the North East of Scotland where I was brought up and my family roots are and I wanted to "hear" the local dialect again after a long time away from the area.
The book's plot tells of the Lowrie family in Buckie in 1912, the lives of fisher families and the hard lives of the wives and daughters of fishermen. I found the detail of the lives of the women the most interesting thing, though I did enjoy the book as a whole. One plot strand surprised me a great deal and I'm not sure what the author was aiming for with it.
A guilty pleasure, but a satisfying one.
The book's plot tells of the Lowrie family in Buckie in 1912, the lives of fisher families and the hard lives of the wives and daughters of fishermen. I found the detail of the lives of the women the most interesting thing, though I did enjoy the book as a whole. One plot strand surprised me a great deal and I'm not sure what the author was aiming for with it.
A guilty pleasure, but a satisfying one.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews