This book made me homesick for places I had never been to. To read it was to walk straight into a Scottish ballad and live inside till I closed the book. Young Wat, in his thirteenth century Border holding, is caught between his uncle, who has a rather uncanny reputation, and a powerful neighbour who is using any means in the world (and out of it) to extend his power. Wat's father is killed, he mistrusts his uncle and his fiancée leaves him cold. Seeking help, he finds strange foes and stranger allies. Seeking to save his home, he finds himself deserting it. Then his uncle turns up again and turns the world (and the story) inside out like an old sock...