Isla Rising

'a glittering and sensitive work of speculative fiction' - Iris Lavell, author of Elsewhere in Success

PJ Johnson's hugely enjoyable debut novel Isla Rising not only (re)animates the living and the dead alike with her vivid prose; she resurrects a 19^th-century Edinburgh, with all its darkness, dangers, and superstitions, such that you're drawn inexorably into this romantic adventure of love beyond the grave without ever once doubting its veracity. One of the heroes is even a cat! What's not to like?

Will Yeoman, The West Australian

I don't go much for whimsy, nor do I easily suspend disbelief - so I can't tell you how delighted I was to be drawn into Isla's last brief moments before her out of body experience by your charming telling of the tale. Belle was as believable a character as any of the others while retaining her innate feline nature in every respect. I read the book straight through - not just because it was easy to read but because it led me cunningly on through a well-wrought and written plot with everything going for it - love, loss, mystery, goodness and evil, laughter and sorrow. You retained the quaint turns of the Scottish vernacular admirably throughout without it being too intrusive - as also the tricky use of the present tense.

The grisly grave robbing scenes and climax of the Samain night were convincing historically - and gripping. I don't know that the story was even all that fanciful. Many people - including me - have felt the lingering presence of a recently departed loved one for quite a while - before they get accustomed to their new state and gradually fade away.

It could make a film with wonderful scope for special effects.

I hope you enjoyed writing it as much as I enjoyed reading it. 

Many congratulations.

With all best wishes

Patsy Millett - author of Inseparable Elements