1957. Sonny is working on a whaling ship in the South Atlantic, reckoning with the most vicious storms he has ever seen. It's a brutal way to make a living. When he finally returns to his Shetland home to build a life with his wife and young son, the legacy of his time at sea is felt by all of them.

In present day Shetland, Jack is an old man, living alone in the cottage where he grew up, in the shadow of a hill. And it is here, one evening, that something appears on his doorstep. Something that throws off the rhythm of his solitary existence in the most profound way.

This is a story of unlikely friendship, longing, the power of music and the pull of home. It is about a life revisited - and reimagined.

"Touching and gracefully written . . . Though Tallack is dealing with themes of loss, loneliness and guilt, he does it with a lightness and humour that can't help but evoke frequent smiles, but never gets overly sentimental. Life-affirming" - * Herald *

"Triumphant . . . touching. Above all, the book is a celebration of art and music and their power to extend beyond surface limitations" - * Guardian *

"This is a beautifully written novel, imaginative, understanding and sympathetic. The Northern Isles have a rich literary heritage. Malachy Tallack takes his place in a line of excellence, a worthy heir to Eric Linklater . . . Edwin Muir and George Mackay Brown. Matching such writers is no mean feat" - * Scotsman *

"Unexpectedly profound. Tender-hearted and graceful, this is a novel to be cherished. A quite beautiful evocation that every life is extraordinary" - * Skinny *