A very atmospheric, low key thriller set in the Outer Hebrides, Heartland follows a classic plot - a man who couldn't wait to leave the islands as a youth returns there to rebuild himself following the end of his marriage and the loss of his job. He attempts to reconnect with his past by reconstructing an old family home, but what he finds there forces him to question everything he believes in. The plot sounds like a cliche, but the novel transcends that, through its well portrayed characters, sense of place and thoughtfulness. There are some superb scenes, mostly around the conversations Iain has with his best friend from the past, who married Iain's first love following his departure from the island. It's also a tense novel, with a very thrilling conclusion.