Historic Novel Review

In the Shadow of My Truth
by Deborah Richmond Foulkes
ISBN-10: 1420813161
Review by Heather Froeschl

History comes to life and invites you to be entranced. "In the Shadow of My Truth" is the second epic novel by Deborah Richmond Foulkes in a series of three, that explore her family's history but also the great history of "The Good Sir James."

The legacy of William le Hardi, the martyred patriot of the first book, "My Truth Lies in the Ruins," is continued in the story of his sons, one of which is The Good Sir James himself. William's widow, Eleanora Lovaine Douglas, vows to fulfill her promise of continuing the fight for Scotland. She raises her sons to reflect the great values of her husband. The three grow up to be King Robert's greatest soldier and most trusted knight, a crusader knight and alchemist healer, and a dedicated squire in service to his older brother, Sir James. What's more is that they grow up to be an honor to their father and to Scotland.

The book begins in the year 1306 and follows to 1330. What it encompasses is a glimpse into the true history of the Clan Douglas and Scotland's Wars for National Independence. But the book holds so much more than that. Here you will see the majestic lifestyle of medieval castles with all the pomp and flourish, you will feel the points of swords in battle and see the death of soldiers all around, you will witness births, weddings and the crossings into the Otherworld. All in such a vivid manner that you will think you had experienced it yourself.

Deborah Richmond Foulkes spent two years in Scotland doing research and spent much time in the libraries of Harvard University and The National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh. I am quite sure that this is only a slight mention of the research involved, as this is the most authentic presentation of historical novel I have read. While this is so, the book reads so easily, so unlike a history book that you will forget that these are true stories and find yourself immersed in a very interesting tale. The plot runs smoothly while Foulkes' descriptive writing is flawless. You won't soon forget the Douglas Clan and will look forward to the next book in the series, "My Truth...A Mist in Time."