Walrus Mutterer

Mandy Haggith lives in Assynt in the northwest Highlands of Scotland, where she combines writing with sailing, environmental activism and teaching - she is a lecturer in literature and creative writing at the University of the Highlands and Islands. Her first novel, The Last Bear, won the Robin Jenkins Literary Award for environmental writing in 2009. The Lyre Dancers is her fifth novel and the third in the Stone Stories trilogy, which began with The Walrus Mutterer (2018), longlisted for the Highland Book Prize, and continued with The Amber Seeker (2019). Mandy is also the author of three poetry collections, a non-fiction book and numerous essays, and the editor of a poetry anthology.

Highland Book Prize 2018, LONGLISTED; "A gripping, haunting and, at times, visceral novel... Lyrical and poetic prose, the author has created a convincing and entirely believable world... One of the best books I have read so far this year." Penny Ingham, Historical Novels Review (Editors' Choice); "An immersive evocation of ancient folklore and ritual, this novel's characterisation and fast pace make it a real page-turner which will keep you hooked." Scottish Field; "Utterly compelling...beautifully crafted...paints an exquisite pen picture." Undiscovered Scotland; "Haggith's woman's eye view of the Iron Age feels fresh and distinctive." Alastair Mabbott, Sunday Herald; "An ambitious and imaginative novel...believable and compelling." Jane Bradley, Scotsman; "We see what the world was like...for the Iron Age peoples, particularly the women. The few historical accounts we have of that time seldom feature women... Rian is a compelling heroine. Life for her is often harsh, uncompromising and dangerous, and yet she has insights and wisdom that we moderns may well envy." Margaret Elphinstone; "The Walrus Mutterer transported me to an extraordinary Iron Age world that resonated long after the final page - vivid, memorable, and utterly compelling." Helen Sedgwick; "Compelling." Lucinda Byatt, Historical Novels Review