It is almost May – it is almost time for the launch of Bodysnatcher! There are lots of exciting things brewing, but here is one we can reveal with pride: the cover of Carol Margaret Davison’s debut novel. As we all know, hands can tell no lies, yet William Burke’s are hiding all sorts of things…
Bodysnatcher is now available to preorder at a discounted price of £9.99 – but not for long! You can also book your place at the free launch event, held at Glasgow’s Hillhead Library at 2pm on May 28th. You could even get your copy signed by the author! Places are limited, so make sure you book in advance. Stay tuned for the excerpt at the end…
We are also delighted to announce Ringwood has established a partnership with Glasgow Women’s Aid and Carol Margaret Davison will be donating a portion of her royalties from Bodysnatcher to the organisation. It is important to recognise that the issues in Bodysnatcher are something many women face daily and we hope to aid GWA in spreading awareness of the organisation offering help to women facing domestic abuse.
“It is my ardent prayer that all victims of domestic and sexual abuse may find the fortitude, necessary supports, and solace to carry on with their lives, one small baby step at a time.” — Carol Margaret Davison, Bodysnatcher
The Scotsman, July 16, 1836:
STRANGE DISCOVERY. About three weeks ago, while a number of boys were amusing themselves in searching for rabbit burrows in the north-east range of Arthur’s Seat, they noticed, in a very rugged and secluded spot, a small opening in one of the rocks, the peculiar appearance of which attracted their attention. The mouth of this little cave was closed by three thin pieces of slatestone, rudely cut at the upper ends into a conical form, and so placed as to protect the interior from the effects of the weather. The boys, having removed these tiny slabs, discovered an aperture about twelve inches square, in which were lodged seventeen Lilliputian coffins, forming two tiers of eight each, and one on a third, just begun! Each of the coffins contained a miniature figure of the human form cut out in wood, the faces in particular being pretty well executed. They were dressed from head to foot in cotton clothes, and decently “laid out” with a mimic representation of all the funereal trappings which usually form the last habiliments of the dead. The coffins are about three or four inches in length, regularly shaped, and cut out from a single piece of wood, with the exception of the lids, which are nailed down with wire sprigs or common brass pins. The lid and sides of each are profusely studded with ornaments formed of small pieces of tin, and inserted in the wood with great care and regularity. Another remarkable circumstance is, that many years must have elapsed since the first interment took place in the mysterious sepulchre, and it is also evident that the depositions must have been made singly, and at considerable intervals — facts indicated by the rotten and decayed state of the first tier of coffins and their wooden mummies, the wrapping cloths being in some instances entirely mouldered away, while others show various degrees of decomposition and the coffin last placed, with its shrouded tenant, are as clean and fresh as if only a few days had elapsed since their entombment….