Starling Lawrence

An exciting novel that is refreshingly different. Set in 1908 in Montenegro, Auberon Harwell is an English man travelling and posing as a botanist. After meeting a young teacher he travels to a remote farm house near the Kosovo, Albanian border and stays with a family there. This is the border between the two empires, the Ottomans and the Austro-Hungarians and there is tension. The farm is run by Danilo, a Montengran warrior and hero and he lives with his son Toma and his wife Sofia. Auberon spends his days studying the plants in the remote valleys and helping on the farm and observing. The novel builds to an exciting finale. Excellent read.… (more)

An historical thriller set prior to World War One in the mountainous world of the Montenegran Serbs. A young British agent sent on a covert mission becomes involved with the fortunes of the Serbian family. The agents’ position becomes further complicated when he falls in love with his host’s wife.
It's good to have some knowledge of world affairs and the Balkans is one of those perennial trouble-spots whose history has had lasting effect on the course of modern history. Years ago when I first read it, the subject matter was particularly topical. At the time I had a number of immigrant friends from all sides of the Bosnian conflict who had fled from the warzone. Reading this novel, I found my limited interpretation of the Serbian character somewhat confirmed, somewhat challenged, and considerably added to. I also enjoyed the romance. It was all delivered via an evocative writing-style – which I found quietly reminiscent of Joseph Conrad.… (more)