Five years ago, after having enjoyed many holidays in the Shetlands, Lindsay Dowding and her husband, John took the bold step to move, lock, stock and barrel from their home in Norfolk to Mid Yell. They have not had one moment’s regret about their decision. Lindsay has written this book as a celebration of everything she has learned about the generosity, kindness and tradition of the people of the islands.

Her previous books have been set in Norfolk, but in Kirsti’s Hus she tells the story of Kirsten, a recently widowed mother of three young daughters, who had been born on Yell but now lives in Norfolk. When her mother dies just before Christmas, Kirsten returns to her family home for the funeral, and is faced with a difficult decision, should she try to keep the house where generations of her family have lived, or sell it. Her friend Emelda helps her come to a decision which is welcomed by her daughters and her neighbours. And what had threatened to be the saddest of Christmases and New Years for the family is saved when friends and neighbours join them in making it both an unusual and an exciting festive period.

As Christmas and New Year approach the kindness of their Shetland friends shines through the family’s sadness and their shared celebrations are a comfort and a joy.

All profits from sales of this book will be donated to clan cancer support

www.clancancersupport.org