Secret Book Swap | Davidson’s Mains | No.3 | June 2025

Books We Swapped:

Past Lying – Val McDermid
In the midst of a pandemic lockdown, DCI Karen Pirie is drawn into a chilling case involving a long-lost manuscript that mirrors a real-life disappearance. As fiction and reality blur, Pirie navigates a web of deceit and vengeance. McDermid delivers a masterful thriller that explores the dark intersections of storytelling and truth.
Me Before You – Jojo Moyes
Louisa Clark, a quirky and optimistic young woman, becomes the caregiver for Will Traynor, a once-active man now confined to a wheelchair. Their unexpected bond challenges them both, leading to profound changes. Moyes crafts a poignant tale of love, choice, and the complexities of life.
Imprint – Steven Davie
In this gripping debut, Davie explores the haunting aftermath of a crime that leaves indelible marks on all involved. As secrets unravel, the line between victim and perpetrator blurs. A compelling narrative that delves into memory, guilt, and the quest for redemption.
One Dark Window – Rachel Gillig
Elspeth Spindle harbors a dangerous secret: a monster in her mind with a voice as seductive as it is deadly. In a kingdom where magic is a curse, she must navigate a treacherous path to save her people and herself. Gillig weaves a darkly romantic fantasy filled with eerie magic and forbidden love.
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
Set in the racially charged American South, young Scout Finch recounts her father's defense of a black man falsely accused of a grave crime. Lee's classic novel confronts themes of justice, morality, and the loss of innocence with enduring relevance.
Tower of Vengeance – Samantha Ward Smith
In 13th-century England, Maude de Mandeville, betrayed and murdered, makes a pact with the Devil to avenge her death. As a ghost, she navigates a world of political intrigue and supernatural forces to protect her son and seek justice. Ward Smith's debut is a thrilling blend of historical fiction and dark fantasy.
Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert
After a painful divorce, Gilbert embarks on a year-long journey across Italy, India, and Indonesia, seeking pleasure, spirituality, and balance. Her memoir is a candid exploration of self-discovery, healing, and the pursuit of happiness.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry – Rachel Joyce
Harold Fry, a recently retired man, sets out on an impromptu walk across England to deliver a letter to a dying friend. His journey becomes a transformative quest, revealing the depths of human kindness and the power of redemption. Joyce's novel is a heartwarming tale of hope and self-discovery.

Guest, Illustrator - Stella Maris

Let me introduce you to, Stella Maris Mongodi, children's book illustrator, designer and coach.

You can read about Stella below and visit her website to get a taster for some of her wonderful work which she brought along and shared with us. It was not only lovely to see the books themselves but wonderful to hear the stories behind the books and characters and how she brought them to life.

Thank you Stella for joining us!

Stella Maris Mongodi began her earthly journey in Italy, where she explored a passion for art under the tutelage of such masters as Carll Cneut and Stefano Moroni. She dabbled with oils and wondered at watercolors, before settling on digital illustrations, steeped in “traditional media flavor”, and sporting a whimsically dreamy, feathery, playful feel, befitting her fairy spirit.

Eventually, Stella wandered off to the British Isles in search of kindred fairies. Finally stumbling upon them in the magical Scottish lands, she decided to put down roots among her own kind.

Between creating engaging imagery to delight young readers, Stella loves to explore her own inner child, zooming about on roller skates, sewing colorful skirts, and befriending her favorite creatures…owls, mice, and an occasional squirrel.

Find out more

Banned Book Reading

We shared the same banned book reading from the Currie event in June. You can read about that here.

Join us at future secret book swaps:

Tickets