Edinburgh Twilight (Ian Hamilton Mysteries #1)

by Carole Lawrence

The buildings were ghostly in the pallid light, hovering over the gleaming cobblestones as if waiting for something. A shiver

“No state is so natural to the human condition as that of longing,” he declared, strolling to the right side of the stage. “When we are hungry, we long for food—and as soon as we are sated, we think wistfully of our next meal. Poetry, theater, and song exist because of longing—our myths and stories are full of separated lovers, ambition-crazed kings, and nobly striving heroes. Longing ignites the poetry in our souls like nothing else—not love, not Nature, not domestic tranquility. Many of you are here tonight because you long for something, though you may not know what it is.”

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he walked along the High Street, following the route traversed by centuries of warriors and wizards, monks and merchants, saints and sinners.