The Bone Trap

Tormod Cockburn

A struggling Scottish scientist holds a potential unicorn skull in his hands. If he proves it’s authentic, his career will be made. If he dies trying, he won’t be the first. Gillan McArdle’s academic career is ending because of one stupid lapse of judgement. But he’s the most talented young archaeologist in Scotland, and a Dundee based media outfit can use his skills. Offered a short term contract, he lands on the Hebridean island of Harris to investigate obscure animal bones. Quickly dismissing the unicorn skull as a thinly disguised fake, he can’t deny there’s something unusual about these bones. Baited by rumours of a majestic tusked horse roaming the upland moors, Gill begins to suspect someone is manipulating him. As he gradually unravels the mystery of the skull, he arrives at one disturbing conclusion. If this creature does exist, all the evidence suggests it’s a killer.

I have a secret passion for reading books where the lines between reality and imagination blur. These books, often dismissed as pulp fiction by literary snobs, include works by Dan Brown, David S. Brody, and early Clive Cussler. They offer me the same kind of escapism that J.R.R. Tolkien provides for fantasy fans. Similarly, in science fiction, I enjoy the 'hard sci-fi' of Stephen Baxter, where the stories are rooted in our mundane lives but introduce slight variations that make them believable.

"The Bone Trap" is one such book. I didn't have high expectations when I picked it up on Kindle, but it pleasantly surprised me. The story, part of the 'Mysterious Scotland' series, follows Gillan McArdle. Initially, I thought Gillan was a woman due to the name, but he is a male protagonist who starts the book having been dismissed from Aberdeen University for fabricating data in his thesis. His former professor connects him with a magazine seeking an archaeologist to verify some bones found on Harris. With no other prospects, Gillan accepts the job and heads to Harris.

At first, the bones appear to be from a unicorn, with a head and a broken horn. However, Gillan quickly identifies them as a narwhal tusk, but something about the skull intrigues him to investigate further. The plot thickens with a violent death, and Gillan uncovers more layers to the story, keeping him digging deeper.

I absolutely loved this book and devoured it over a couple of late nights. The writing style is engaging, providing just enough detail to keep you hooked until the very end, which is quite a twist. I won't spoil it for you, but it's worth the read.

Gillan is a complex and shrewd investigator who digs until he can make sense of the unravelling story, often putting himself and his new friends in danger. The revelations push the boundaries of reality but remain believable within the novel's context.

That's the magic of books like this—they make you believe there's still wonder in the world. Tormod has crafted a mystery that convinces you there's something extraordinary out there. In some ways, it reminds me of "Jurassic Park," a story we wish were half-true and perfect for escaping into another world. You'll find out through Gillan's investigations various myths and legends from Scotland and the wider world.

I'm currently on book five of the series and thoroughly enjoying the 'Mysterious Scotland' adventures. I highly recommend the series, especially "The Stone Cypher," which I will review soon.