‘The Saved’ by Liz Webb

Published by Allison & Busby,
25 January 2024.
ISBN: 978-0-74903013-1 (HB)

When Nancy and her partner, Calder, move to the island of his childhood, she finds it hard to settle in. Then there’s a boat accident, and Calder is found floating, clinically dead. Miraculously, the doctors manage to bring him back to life – except that he no longer behaves like the man Nancy loved...

This is a great premise to kick off a Gothic thriller set on an island straight from horror films like The Wicker Man. Nancy is a fragile, town-dwelling narrator that we can see is going to find island life difficult, especially as she discovers more and more about Calder’s past which he’s kept hidden from her – like his father’s death, and a former relationship with a fellow islander, Caitlin.

The supporting cast includes the suddenly sinister Calder, his best friend, Hamish, also an islander, and Hamish’s wife, Gina – they both fly up from London to help Nancy. The locals include a lively shopkeeper, Janey, whose lover seems to have done a runner, and a suspicious minister. Or is it all in Nancy’s head? The plot’s fast-moving, with exciting episodes, a number of surprise twists and a clever ending. The setting was an imaginary ‘slate island’, vividly described and used as both place and metaphor.

A fast-moving Gothic tale with a narrator who keeps your sympathy, plenty of action and an unusual, well-described setting.
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Reviewer: Marsali Taylor

Liz Webb originally trained as a classical dancer, then worked as a secretary, stationery shop manager, art class model, cocktail waitress, stand-up comic, voice-over artist, script editor and radio drama producer, before becoming a novelist. She lives in North London with her husband, son and serial killer cat Freddie. The Daughter was her debut book.

Marsali Taylor grew up near Edinburgh and came to Shetland as a newly qualified teacher. Marsali is a qualified STGA tourist-guide who is fascinated by history, and has published plays in Shetland's distinctive dialect, as well as a history of women's suffrage in Shetland. She's also a keen sailor who enjoys exploring in her own 8m yacht, and an active member of her local drama group.  She lives with her husband and two Shetland ponies.

www.marsalitaylor.co.uk