The Inheritance (Secrets of the Shetlands Book #1)

Like Davis Bunn a.k.a. Thomas Locke I have been reading Michael Phillips' books since my early teen years and Phillips has always been a favorite author of mine. Unfortunately, I haven’t picked up one of his novels in a very long time and that is to my detriment. Phillips has a quality that I honestly cannot explain. I have felt this way about his books since I was a teen. As a book reviewer I know it isn’t very helpful that I can't name or even really explain what that quality is. Sorry about that! The closest that I can get to an explanation is that his characters are more thoughtful, more fully understandable, deeper and richer than the norm. In the books description Phillips is called a master storyteller. That sums it up. Do you feel the same way about his books? Can you explain it? A great part of the joy of reading for me is learning new things. The Inheritance introduced me to the Shetland Islands, an area of Scotland that I am unfamiliar with. It was interesting to learn of the joint Scottish and Norse heritage in the Shetlands. Michael Phillips also introduced me to the song Leaving Lerwick Harbour. It is beautiful. A bit haunting yet peaceful. The Inheritance is a story of clashing times and forces. History verses modernity. Selflessness verses selfishness. Self-understanding verses a lack of identity. Kindness verses unkindness. There is a moment towards the end when mysteries and events are converging. Following is a quote describing the Whale’s Reef church steeple. "In a location such as this, where sea mists, driving rains, and incessant winds were the norm, a steeple must be strongly anchored to keep from being battered to bits. This one was. It had survived, with repairs, for three centuries. Its topmost spire, however, was often shrouded in fog or slanting torrents, thus providing an even more fitting symbol of that unknowable and veiled Presence to whom it pointed. Its disappearance into the nebulous unseen heavens, even if only fifty feet above the ground, created a numinous aura of mystery in keeping with its avowed purpose." The quote speaks to the essence of the book. History, heritage, respect, and most importantly reverence of God are valuable and worth seeking and sharing. My favorite character in The Inheritance wins by a landslide. He is a chauffeur by trade and a minister by calling named Dickie Sinclair. Dickie is colorful, truthful, and wise. He has a short part but his impact is long-lasting. Phillips paints beautiful scenery.  His descriptions of the Shetland Islands and the community of Whales Reef in particular are very detailed and lovely.  He shows the value and an understanding of the culture and history of the island. The Inheritance extolls the blessings to be found in a families heritage that I find distinctly lacking in America.  I know that I am much the poorer for it.   The Inheritance is definitely not a stand alone book.  I love the story but the ending was abrupt.  As was intended you are left waiting impatiently for book two.  Fortunately the sequel, The Cottage, releases this October.   I received a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. My thanks to the author and publisher. For all of my reviews visit my blog at www (dot) blessedandbewildered (dot) com